Japan Now! BE:FIRST Drop New Song “Missing” at FNS 2026 (6/30)

Why BE:FIRST’s FNS Performance Matters

So why did fans light up the moment the setlist dropped? Covering Keisuke Kuwata is no small thing in Japan. His songs carry decades of summer nostalgia, and handing one to a young group like BE:FIRST signals real industry respect. At the same time, international fans were refreshing their feeds for the “Missing” premiere. The result was a rare moment where longtime J-pop listeners and global BE:FIRST fans were watching the exact same screen for completely different reasons.

Fun Fact: A Summer Classic That Raised a Generation

Fun Fact: Did you know? “Nami Nori Johnny” (literally “Wave-Riding Johnny”) was released by Keisuke Kuwata in 2001 and is still one of Japan’s most recognizable summer songs.

For many Gen Z Japanese, it is the kind of song they grew up hearing from the back seat of the car, played by their parents on summer drives long before they understood the words. That is exactly why BE:FIRST covering it hits so hard: the group is young, but the song lives in the childhood memories of an entire generation.

To put their own spin on a track their parents loved, then debut “Missing” minutes later, made the night a perfect bridge between Japan’s musical past and its future.

BE:FIRST “Missing” FAQ

What is BE:FIRST’s new song “Missing”?
“Missing” is a new song by BE:FIRST that received its first-ever television performance at the 2026 FNS Music Festival Summer on July 1, 2026.

What song did BE:FIRST cover at FNS 2026?
As part of the opening “Strongest Summer Song Chorus Medley,” BE:FIRST covered “Nami Nori Johnny” (Surfin’ Johnny), a 2001 hit by Keisuke Kuwata.

Who is Keisuke Kuwata?
Keisuke Kuwata is the frontman of Southern All Stars, one of Japan’s most iconic rock bands. His solo song “Nami Nori Johnny” is considered a Japanese summer classic.

Where can I watch the FNS 2026 performance?
The 2026 FNS Music Festival Summer aired live on Fuji TV and was streamed in real time on TVer in Japan. Availability outside Japan may vary.

As a Gen Z Japanese myself, hearing BE:FIRST take on a song my parents played on every summer drive genuinely gave me chills.

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