Aa, it's just, you say their popularity and influence is reason enough, but you also say Kumi shouldn't have been nominated last year, either. Despite her scandal, Kumi was still up at the top last year with Kingdom, so that's what I don't agree on... But yeah, she certainly shouldn't have been nominated this year, as much as I hate to admit that. X_X
And no, I also don't think Ayu would be winning anything, at least not since (miss)understood...

I believe she actually would have deserved it this year, because so many songs off of NEXT LEVEL are actually tons better than those listed, even if they aren't the best. But what with the domination of boy bands, I doubt she - or any of the other ladies, for that matter - would have a very good chance of winning.