KAWAII LAB, an idol project dedicated to sharing Japan’s unique idol culture with the world, has opened applications for the “KAWAII LAB. ASIA GLOBAL AUDITION 2026,” a global audition targeting talents in five Asian countries.

This audition is part of KAWAII LAB’s first-ever global audition project, which is being held simultaneously across five Asian countries. The initiative was announced at the “KAWAII LAB. SESSION” event held on July 11 at the Yoyogi National Stadium 1st Gymnasium.

KAWAII LAB is accepting applications from South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. This new initiative aims to discover and nurture talented individuals from around the world and to spread the type of Japanese idol culture that KAWAII LAB has been promoting to the world. The project will continue to take into account the number of applications and the response from each country, while also considering the expansion of target regions and the rollout of projects in each region, continuing to advance as a global project that embodies KAWAII LAB’s vision of “From Harajuku to the World.”

As of August 2026, KAWAII LAB. has launched five groups―FRUITS ZIPPER, CANDY TUNE, SWEET STEADY, CUTIE STREET, and MORE STAR. It has continued to promote Japan’s unique idol culture both domestically and internationally while updating it for the next generation.

Through this audition, we aim to discover talented young people from across Asia and provide them with a training environment that leverages the development expertise KAWAII LAB has cultivated. Candidates who pass the selection process will participate in a training program supervised by the Japanese team and conducted in collaboration with partner companies in various countries, with the goal of making their debut and taking part in different activities.

Looking ahead, the project is considering not only expanding its projects in various regions but also pursuing cross-border collaborations and global initiatives. KAWAII LAB will move forward with this project as a new endeavor to spread Japan’s idol culture to the world while fostering its unique culture in each region.

■Global Development Program

Candidates who pass the final selection round will begin their activities under the supervision of the Japanese team and with management support from partners in various countries.

KAWAII LAB offers a comprehensive training program to prepare artists for their debut, including dance lessons, vocal training, management, and housing support. Depending on each artist’s aptitude and the status of projects in various regions, the project plans to provide opportunities for their debut and a variety of activities both in Japan and abroad.

■Country Partners

[South Korea]
LIVET is a company that, with J-POP and J-Culture as its foundation, operates live entertainment, content, and promotional businesses in the South Korean market. The company is involved in numerous projects that serve as a bridge between Japan and South Korea.

[China]
MODERN SKY
Founded in 1997, MODERN SKY is a leading music and culture company in China, engaging in music publishing, artist management, live events, music production, and media operations. The Strawberry Music Festival, which it organizes, is known as one of China’s largest and most influential music festivals. Since its inaugural event in 2009, the event has been held a total of 171 times in 50 cities across China, attracting more than 8 million visitors.

[Thailand/Indonesia/Vietnam]
POPS
POPS is one of the largest digital entertainment and music networks in Southeast Asia, boasting more than 15 million monthly active users and a cumulative total of over 850 million registered users across the region, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Leveraging its strong global foundation created by its strategic partnership with Primary Wave Music, a major US music company, the company harnesses a unique digital distribution network and deep insight into local markets. In addition, the company has an outstanding track record in the official distribution and local adaptation of Japanese anime IPs, and it also produces original content rooted in local communities while operating a robust influencer marketing business.

■About KAWAII LAB.

KAWAII LAB. is a project spearheaded by ASOBISYSTEM beginning in 2022 to introduce the world to popular Japanese idol culture. Under the concept “From Harajuku to the World,” it aims to discover, nurture, and produce idols capable of succeeding globally, while creating a new wave of idol culture.

Misa Kimura serves as the executive producer. Leveraging the artist management expertise and cultural influence that ASOBISYSTEM has cultivated, she is dedicated to developing and producing the next generation of idols.

This year’s “KAWAII LAB. ASIA GLOBAL AUDITION 2026” marks a new challenge to expand that vision across all of Asia.

■Looking Forward

This audition is not merely a talent scouting project, but a way to expand KAWAII LAB across various Asian countries and to establish long-term collaborative relationships with local partners.

ASOBISYSTEM will continue to promote Japanese idol culture and Harajuku culture to the world and take on the challenge of creating new forms of entertainment.

＜Comment from KAWAII LAB. Executive Producer Misa Kimura＞

“Inspired by the concept of “From Harajuku to the World,” KAWAII LAB has continued to promote Japan’s unique idol culture. This audition is a new challenge aimed at spreading that vision even further.

I hope to meet so many talented people from across Asia and, while respecting their individuality and cultures, spread the Japanese-born KAWAII LAB culture to the world.

I’m truly looking forward to meeting many future stars.”