Celebrated actress Nanako Matsushima is among seven prominent personalities set to take on the respected role of polling judges at Japan's prestigious year-end music show, "Kohaku Uta Gassen". This star-studded event, televised nationwide and widely anticipated, brings together top musical acts split into two teams - the reds (females) and the whites (males) - for a competition that rings in the New Year.

The Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red-White Song Battle) is one of the oldest and most popular music shows in Japan, aired annually on New Year's Eve. The program, broadcated since 1951, is a major part of the country's year-end traditions and reaches millions of viewers. Japanese people care deeply about the show and having beloved celebrities on the judge panel adds to the excitement and anticipation.

In the Western context, shows like "The Voice" or "America's Got Talent" might offer the closest equivalent, boasting nationwide viewership, celebrity judges and intense competition. However, these shows do not have the annual traditional significance of the "Kohaku Uta Gassen". The judged nature of the competition and the star power of the judges are shared features.