On October 23, 2026, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has been selected to receive the Order of Culture. According to Denfaminico Gamer and GamesIndustry.biz, the selection makes Shigeru Miyamoto the first video game developer to receive the Japanese government's cultural award. The official conferral ceremony will take place in early November 2026.

Key points:

  • Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced on October 23, 2026, that Shigeru Miyamoto will receive the Order of Culture.
  • Miyamoto is one of eight recipients chosen by the Japanese government for the fiscal 2026 Order of Culture awards and is the first game developer to earn the honor.
  • He was selected in the Media Arts (Gaming) category.
  • Emperor Naruhito will confer the award in person on November 3, 2026, which is Japan's Culture Day national holiday.
  • Miyamoto stated he wishes to share the joy of the award with collaborators outside of games, including those involved with Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World and the film business.

Details of Shigeru Miyamoto's Order of Culture Award

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, Shigeru Miyamoto, who serves as Executive Fellow and Representative Director at Nintendo, is one of eight individuals selected by the Japanese government for the fiscal 2026 Order of Culture awards. The government selected Miyamoto specifically within the Media Arts (Gaming) category. His inclusion marks the first time a video game developer has been chosen to receive the Order of Culture.

Following the announcement on October 23, 2026, Miyamoto issued a statement regarding the selection. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Miyamoto said:

"I am truly honoured to receive such a prestigious award."

In addition to acknowledging his work in video games, Miyamoto highlighted his collaborations in other entertainment sectors. According to VGChartz, Miyamoto expressed that he would like to share the joy of the award with the people he has worked with outside of games, specifically citing his collaborators on Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World and in the film business. Readers following the company's broader hardware and software updates may also note that Nintendo recently stated it has no plans to ditch physical Switch games.

Background on Japan's Order of Culture and Game Industry Recognition

According to GamesIndustry.biz and Denfaminico Gamer, Japan's Order of Culture was established in 1937. The honor is awarded to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of Japanese culture across the fields of art, literature, science, and technology. Miyamoto's selection places video game development alongside these established disciplines under the Media Arts (Gaming) classification.

The 2026 announcement follows earlier national recognition for the Nintendo executive. As noted by GamesIndustry.biz, Miyamoto was previously honored by the Japanese government as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2019.

Miyamoto's selection also follows another recent government honor for a Japanese game creator. According to GamesIndustry.biz, in November 2025, Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii became the first game designer to receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

What the Recognition Means for Players and the Medium

For the gaming community and industry observers, the decision by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology represents the first time a video game developer has reached the Order of Culture tier since the award was created in 1937. By selecting a recipient in the Media Arts (Gaming) category, the Japanese government has formally included video games among the fields recognized for advancing Japanese culture.

Miyamoto's comments, as reported by VGChartz, also reflect how work originating in the game industry now connects with theme parks and cinema. By mentioning the teams behind Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World and his partners in the film business, Miyamoto connected the cultural recognition to both video games and related media projects.

Because this announcement concerns a Japanese national cultural award rather than a commercial product or service release, there are no regional software announcements or availability details associated with the news.

What Comes Next on Culture Day

The formal presentation of the Order of Culture is scheduled for next month. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Emperor Naruhito will officially confer the Order of Culture upon Shigeru Miyamoto in person.

The ceremony will take place on November 3, 2026, which is observed nationwide as Japan's Culture Day national holiday. Miyamoto will attend the ceremony alongside the other fiscal 2026 recipients to receive the decoration.

FAQ

Who is the first video game developer to receive Japan's Order of Culture?

Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto is the first video game developer to be selected for Japan's Order of Culture, as announced on October 23, 2026, by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

When will Shigeru Miyamoto receive the Order of Culture award?

Emperor Naruhito will confer the Order of Culture upon Miyamoto in person during an official ceremony on November 3, 2026, which is Japan's Culture Day national holiday.

What is Japan's Order of Culture?

Established in 1937, Japan's Order of Culture is a national award given to individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of Japanese culture in art, literature, science, and technology.