Key Takeaways
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- Prestigious awards were given to notable Japanese figures for their distinguished service in various fields, such as entertainment and politics.
- - Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Ray with Neck Ribbon.
- - Manga artist Go Nagai, famed for Mazinger Z and Cutie Honey, also received the same award.
- Recipients included several high-ranking politicians like former President of the Chamber of Councillors Hidehisa Otsuji and former Supreme Court chief Saburo Tokura.
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Japanese Autumn Honors Recognize Yuji Horii, Go Nagai, Others for Distinguished Service
The Japanese government released its list of 3,963 recipients of this year’s autumn honors on Monday. As reported by The Japan Times, among those recognized is Yuji Horii, the celebrated creator of the Dragon Quest series, who will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Ray with Neck Ribbon. This is Horii’s first time receiving this prestigious award. Another notable honoree is manga artist Go Nagai, 80, famed for his iconic works Mazinger Z and Cutie Honey. Nagai will also be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Ray with Neck Ribbon. In further recognition of distinguished service, former President of the Chamber of Councillors Hidehisa Otsuji, 85, and former Supreme Court chief Saburo Tokura, 71, will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers. Women comprise approximately 427 of this year’s honorees. Among them, Setsuko Tsumura, 97, the esteemed winner of the 1965 Akutagawa Prize, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Ray with Neck Ribbon. Katsuko Sato, an accomplished educator and emeritus professor from Tokyo University, will be awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure with Neck Ribbon.
Distinguished Service Honors for Ikuo Kabashima, Taku Yamamoto, Heizo Takenaka, and More in Japan’s Autumn Honors Festival
In addition, six individuals will receive the Grand Cross of the Order of the Rising Sun. These include former Kumamoto governor Ikuo Kabashima, former agriculture minister Taku Yamamoto (also known as Taku Takaichi), and former interior minister Heizo Takenaka. Three individuals, including former Japan Fair Trade Commission chair Kazuyuki Furuya, will receive the Order of the Sacred Treasure. The honors extend beyond Japan’s borders, with 104 foreign nationals from 53 countries and regions included on the list. Notably, former Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, 75, and Hsieh Chang-ting, 79, former head of Taiwan’s representative office in Japan, will both receive the Grand Cross of the Order of the Rising Sun. The Emperor is scheduled to honor the recipients of the top awards at the Imperial Palace on November 11, marking a formal recognition of their significant contributions.
In Case You Missed It
In our ongoing exploration of the gaming world, we’re excited to share two insightful articles by Ahmed Hassan that are sure to delight Dragon Quest fans. First up is his latest piece, “Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Producer Outlines Changes to Enhance Game’s Pace,” published on September 30, 2025. Dive into this article as Ahmed unveils Square Enix’s plans for the remake of Dragon Quest VII, slated for February 5, 2026. Discover how producer Takeshi Ichikawa is streamlining the game by removing certain narrative arcs and features to enhance its pace, while introducing new exclusive contents. Click here Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Producer Outlines Changes to Enhance Game’s Pace to explore how Square Enix is striking a balance between fidelity and novelty for this much-anticipated remake. Meanwhile, Ahmed’s recent post, “In Anticipation of Dragon Quest 12, Square Enix Might Finally Deliver the Missing Episodes to Fans” (published on September 23rd), takes you on a trip down memory lane, delving into the rich history and anticipation surrounding the Zenithia trilogy. Join Ahmed as he explores the unique strengths of Dragon Quest 4, 5, and 6, and speculates on their potential HD-2D remakes. It’s a must-read for any Dragon Quest fan eager to fill the gap before Dragon Quest 12 arrives. Check it out here In Anticipation of Dragon Quest 12, Square Enix Might Finally Deliver the Missing Episodes to Fans.