STARTO Corporation's "Kaukon" Returns After 3 Years — Japanese Idol Culture's New Year's Eve Event Goes Global on Netflix. Exclusive Worldwide Streaming & Behind-the-Scenes Making Also Confirmed

1. What is "Koukon"? — The Japanese Live Culture of "Welcoming the New Year Together"

In Japan, there is a unique culture on New Year's Eve where television and live performances are strongly connected. While year-end specials like the Red and White Singing Contest symbolize this, the experience of "spending New Year's Eve at a venue" has also been regarded as special. A prime example is the countdown concert, commonly known as "Koukon," where artists from the former Johnny's Office (now STARTO ENTERTAINMENT) gather together.

Koukon is not just a live concert. At its core is the ritual of sharing the moment of the New Year in the "same space and time," with fans gathering in anticipation of "moments that only happen on this day," such as collaborations across groups, special projects for those born in the year, and song shuffles. Held at the massive Tokyo Dome, it has been broadcast on television in some years, making it a "national New Year's event" even for those who couldn't attend in person. Most recently, the "Johnny's Countdown 2022→2023" was broadcast from Tokyo Dome. Fuji TV+1

The Koukon has seen years without being held due to organizational restructuring and changes in social circumstances. STARTO ENTERTAINMENT announced that it would not be held for two consecutive years, including the end of 2024. Oricon+1

2. Overview of the "COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2025-2026 STARTO to MOVE" Held for the First Time in Three Years

The title this time is **'COUNTDOWN CONCERT 2025-2026 STARTO to MOVE'**. It will be held at Tokyo Dome on New Year's Eve (December 31, 2025). ENCOUNT+1

Performers (Announced, 12 Groups)
NEWS / Hey! Say! JUMP / Kis-My-Ft2 / timelesz / Kento Nakajima / A.B.C-Z / King & Prince / SixTONES / Snow Man / Naniwa Danshi / Travis Japan / Aぇ! group ENCOUNT+1

Positioned as the first "Koukon-style" event under the "STARTO ENTERTAINMENT" system, it holds a strong significance for fans as the "return of a year-end tradition." ENCOUNT+1

3. First, "Real-Time New Year's Eve" Will Be Live-Streamed on FAMILY CLUB online

What is important for global readers is that there are multiple viewing options. The "real-time experience" on New Year's Eve will be provided by FAMILY CLUB online. The streaming will start at 22:30 on December 31, 2025 (JST). FAMILY CLUB online

Additionally, a replay will be available from **22:00 on January 7, 2026, to 23:59 on January 11, 2026 (JST)**. The ticket sales period and prices (for members/general) are also specified. FAMILY CLUB online

This is key, as FAMILY CLUB online functions as a "live stream to welcome the New Year simultaneously." In other words, for those who want to savor Koukon as a cultural event (a New Year's ritual), this route will be central.

4. Netflix to "Exclusively Stream Worldwide" — The Moment an "Event" Becomes a "Work"

Netflix announced that instead of a live broadcast on the day of the event, it will "exclusively stream worldwide" the performance footage at a later date. The streaming will begin at 22:00 on January 7, 2026 (JST). ENCOUNT

What is noteworthy is that it doesn't end with just the main live performance. Behind-the-scenes making footage will also be exclusively streamed on Netflix starting from **22:00 on January 30, 2026 (JST)**. ENCOUNT

This design expands the experience from "watching the live" to "following the live as a story." In the global streaming market, it has become common to enhance fandom by presenting concert main performances along with documentaries and making-of footage. The fact that STARTO's New Year's event has adopted this international format is significant.

5. Even with the Same "January 7, 22:00," the Content Differs — The "Two-Layer Structure" of Streaming

Interestingly, the **start of the replay on FAMILY CLUB online (1/7 22:00)** and the **start of Netflix's exclusive global streaming (1/7 22:00)** are reported to be at the same time. ENCOUNT+1

However, it is highly likely that their purposes differ.

• FAMILY CLUB online: "Replay" as an extension of the live stream = "Review with the day's excitement intact"

• Netflix: "Content Streaming" for the world = "Editing and packaging for first-time enjoyment"

While the actual editing policy is not disclosed, by providing "different entrances" at the same time, the pathways for domestic fans and overseas viewers can be neatly separated. The term "exclusive global streaming" hints at this design philosophy.

6. When Can Overseas Viewers Watch? (Time Zone Guide)

Netflix Streaming Start: January 7, 2026, 22:00 (JST / UTC+9) ENCOUNT

Major Time Zone Guide:

• UTC: January 7, 13:00

• Eastern US (EST, UTC-5): January 7, 08:00

• Western US (PST, UTC-8): January 7, 05:00

• UK (GMT, UTC±0): January 7, 13:00

• Central Europe (CET, UTC+1): January 7, 14:00

Even though it's called a "New Year's Eve live," when watching on Netflix, it will be an experience viewed at a later date. On the other hand, since the year-end and New Year period is often filled with family events, making real-time participation difficult in some regions, the fact that it can be "definitely watched later" is a strength in international expansion.

7. The Revival After Three Years × Exclusive Global Streaming Indicates STARTO's Next Phase

This news is not just about "the return of Koukon."

• Translating a "domestic tradition" into content for the world (Netflix) ENCOUNT

• Ensuring the "real-time excitement" through paid streaming (FAMILY CLUB online) FAMILY CLUB online

This dual approach aligns with the music industry's shift from focusing solely on "venue attendance" to emphasizing "streaming revenue" and "international fan retention." STARTO ENTERTAINMENT is promoting this event on its official site (including the English page), showing a clearer awareness of the overseas market than before. STARTO ENTERTAINMENT+1

8. What Will Be the Highlights? (Guide for First-Time Overseas Fans)

Highlight ①: The "12 Groups of Different Generations and Styles Gather on the Same Night" Anomaly
Typically, each group performs dome concerts on their own. Having 12 groups gather on the same night and at the same venue for "New Year's Eve" creates a spectacle that is hard to replicate in solo concerts. The lineup of performers, once listed by official sources and media, already makes the "event's grandeur" easy to explain internationally. ENCOUNT+2FAMILY CLUB online+2

Highlight ②: The Making Footage as an "Entry Point to Fandom"
The main live performance can be overwhelming for first-time viewers due to its sheer volume of information. This is why the behind-the-scenes documentary can create a "foundation for understanding" through the group's relationships and preparation process. Netflix's decision to offer the making footage on a separate day is very rational for overseas viewing. ENCOUNT

Highlight ③: How the Moment of New Year's Eve Is Staged
The essence of Koukon is "what happens at the stroke of midnight." The countdown, the unity of the venue, the lighting, the production, and "the cheers of that moment" become the core of the content. How