Shigeru Miyamoto, a longtime figure at Nintendo, is set to be honored with Japan's Order of Culture award

Image credit: Kyodo News

Renowned game developer Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo is set to be honored with Japan's prestigious Order of Culture award, marking the first time a game developer receives this distinction. According to information from GameWatch, referenced by Automaton, Miyamoto is among eight honorees chosen by the Japanese government in the Media Arts (Gaming) segment.

The ceremony, where Miyamoto will receive the award directly from the Emperor of Japan, is scheduled for Culture Day on November 3, 2026. Established in 1937, this award acknowledges substantial contributions to Japanese culture across various fields, including art, literature, and sciences.

Expressing his gratitude, Miyamoto stated, "I am truly honored to receive such a prestigious award. As I have often said, these achievements were not the work of one person, but the result of collaboration with many others. I accept this honor on their behalf."

In 2019, Miyamoto was also recognized with Japan's Person of Cultural Merit accolade for his influential role within Nintendo, significantly impacting the international standing of Japan's gaming sector.

Last year, Dragon Quest developer Yuji Horii was celebrated in Japan's autumn honors as the pioneer game designer to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Reflecting on his career, Horii shared with FNN, "I've been making games for a long time, about 40 years now, but it’s not just my own efforts, it’s all thanks to the staff who helped me make it, and the users who have always supported me. I've leveled up in many ways, done many things, and all my hard work has paid off."