Nippon TV Wins 2025 ITE Technical Progress Award for Developing “AI Akimoto Yasushi,” a Music Production Agent
Nippon TV has received the 53rd (2025) Technical Progress Award (Contents Technology Award), presented by the Institute of Image Information and Television Engineers (ITE), for the “Development of the ‘AI Akimoto Yasushi’ Music Production Agent Utilizing Generative AI.” An award ceremony was held on May 29, 2026.
Related Links (Japanese only):
★Nippon TV Press Release
★List of Technical Progress Award Recipients
The ITE Technical Progress Award is presented annually to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding achievements in research and development related to image information media. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in Japan’s video technology field. With this latest recognition, Nippon TV has achieved the remarkable milestone of winning the award for ten consecutive years, reflecting sustained excellence in technological innovation.
For more information about the ITE, please visit:
👉https://www.ite.or.jp/content/message-from-ite-president/
“AI Akimoto Yasushi”: A Generative AI Music Production Agent
Technical Overview
In producing a program in which Mr. Yasushi Akimoto competes with “AI Akimoto Yasushi” in a music production showdown, Nippon TV developed an in-house system that pioneers new possibilities for the use of AI in the creative domain.
Official program website (Japanese only) : https://www.ntv.co.jp/AIakimoto/
This system, designed to enable the rapid and cost-effective construction of an AI agent that enhances the program concept, offers the following key technical and operational advantages:
- Training on Extensive Data
A dedicated database was built using Mr. Akimoto’s books and articles, as well as songs and member information from AKB 48. This enabled outputs that capture Mr. Akimoto’s distinctive production philosophy and contextual nuance—capabilities not found in general-purpose AI. - Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis and Implementation of Production Expertise
The entire music production workflow—theme development, song selection, lyric writing, and member selection—was implemented using AI. By combining this with extensive data on Mr. Akimoto, the system reproduces his creative process with a high degree of fidelity. - Development of an Accessible Web Application
An “AI Akimoto Yasushi” agent was developed to express his persona from multiple perspectives across diverse interactions. It was implemented as an interactive, chat-based web application accessible to users.
Through this system, Nippon TV successfully integrates entertainment with cutting-edge technology, creating a new form of program production and expression not previously realized.
Nippon TV will continue to advance technological development, building on the innovations recognized by this award. We remain committed to delivering new viewing experiences to audiences not only across Japan but around the world, while contributing to the continued growth of the broadcasting industry as a whole.
