Japan's national treasure voice actress, Masako Nozawa, is best known for her iconic roles as Goku, Gohan, and Goten in the "Dragon Ball" series. At 88 years old, she continues to voice all three generations of characters, solidifying her status as a true legend in the industry.
Today (October 18), the Japanese government announced its list of recipients for the 2025 "Order of Culture" and "Person of Cultural Merit" awards, with Masako Nozawa proudly among them. This makes her the first voice actor in history to be selected as a "Person of Cultural Merit," marking a historic milestone for the entire voice acting industry.
The "Person of Cultural Merit" award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement and development of Japanese culture. While more numerous than "Order of Culture" recipients, it remains a highly prestigious honor, second only to the Order of Culture itself. Previous recipients from the ACG (Anime, Comics, Games) world include Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, and "Dragon Quest" series composer Koichi Sugiyama, among others.
Masako Nozawa shared her heartfelt remarks upon receiving this incredible honor:
"Looking back, it truly feels like I've walked a long path alongside 'voice.' To receive such a wonderful award just for doing what I love is incredibly moving. I accept this honor on behalf of the entire voice acting industry. It fills me with immense pride to see our seniors, current colleagues, and the young generation aspiring to enter the world of voice acting being recognized."
"At the same time, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the creators who bring these works and characters to life, and to all the fans who have supported us throughout. It is because of everyone's existence that 'culture' can flourish, and our efforts as voice actors can continue. My greatest strength is being 'full of energy,' so I will continue to pour my full power into delivering 'voices,' hoping to give back, even a little, to this cultural world that has nurtured me."
— Masako Nozawa
Becoming the first voice actor to achieve this milestone is a well-deserved recognition for Masako Nozawa. Her decades of dedication and passion are evident to all, coupled with her consistently vibrant performances. As a trailblazer for the voice acting community, her achievement may pave the way for more industry talents to receive similar honors in the future.