Two groups that were active this year are missing from the song competitions.

The NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen held on New Years Eve and the Momoiro Uta Gassen hosted by MCZ have announced almost all of their performers.

Looking over the two song competitions, it is puzzling that the names of two idol groups that showed considerable success this year do not appear in either lineup.

One is ＝LOVE (Equal Love) and the other is Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu.

Up until just before the announcements this year, both groups were seen as strong candidates for appearing on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen, but unfortunately they were not selected.

Until last year, they had appeared at the Momoiro Uta Gassen as well, but this year they are not included there either.

This is despite the fact that for ＝LOVE, both of their sister groups, ≠ME(NOT EQUAL ME) and ≒JOY (NEARLY EQUAL JOY), as well as all major Sta-Pla groups other than Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu, have decided to appear at the Momoiro Uta Gassen.

Given these circumstances, there are voices expressing hope that these two groups may still have a chance to appear at the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in a special category rather than as regular performers.

In any case, developments over the next week will be interesting to watch.