As per kotlin doc we start new activity with following syntax
startActivity(Intent(this@MainActivity, NextActivity::class.java))
its kotlin
Because NextActivity::class gives you KClass<NextActivity>, and KClass has a method/extension property called java which gives you the java.lang.Class<NextActivity> for the given class.
NextActivity::class
KClass<NextActivity>
KClass
java.lang.Class<NextActivity>
You can even check out the source-code for that java property.