Tokyo International News Agency

In the Autumn 2025 Imperial Decorations, game creator Mr. Yuji Horii and manga artist Mr. Go Nagai were awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Their long-standing contributions to spearheading Japanese entertainment culture and creating a significant impact both domestically and internationally were highly commended through these decorations. Mr. Yuji Horii's award, known as the father of the "Dragon Quest" series, is seen as a groundbreaking event for the game industry. Many social media users offered their congratulations, praising "Dragon Quest" as "a game loved across generations," honoring its enduring value. Many were also moved by Mr. Horii's own words, "Life is a role-playing game," with comments such as "Thank you for creating a stage where everyone can joyfully come together." Previously, Koichi Sugiyama, who composed music for the "Dragon Quest" series, also received the Order of the Ri...

The recent announcement of the Autumn Imperial Decorations, specifically the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun bestowed upon Heizo Takenaka, former Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy, has sparked a significant uproar, primarily on social media. Numerous users are engaging in heated discussions regarding the merits and demerits of Takenaka's past policies, raising questions and criticisms about the decision to grant him the award. According to a report by Livedoor News, Takenaka himself commented on receiving the decoration, saying, “I have been involved in tasks such as dealing with non-performing loans, reducing public works, and other jobs that drew criticism from some. I honestly didn't expect someone like me to be a recipient of an imperial decoration.” While acknowledging that his policies were controversial, he expressed surprise at receiving the prestigious honor. However, on social media, this award has been met with a barrage of harsh opinions, ...