Princess Hitachi honors the 2026 Praemium Imperiale Laureates at Ceremony in Tokyo

Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi honored the Laureates of the 37th Praemium Imperiale at the Awards Ceremony held on October 28 at the Meiji Kinenkan in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo, on behalf of His Imperial Highness Prince Hitachi, Honorary Patron of the Japan Art Association.

The ceremony began with opening remarks by Mr. Hisashi Hieda, Chair of the Japan Art Association, who paid tribute to the power of art and artists to bring people together across the globe. This was followed by addresses from the International Advisors who had nominated this year’s Laureates, each taking the stage to pay tribute to the award recipients.

Among those who took the stage were three newly appointed International Advisors: Ms. Patricia Barbizet, President of the Association of Large French Companies (AFEP); Mr. Paolo Gentiloni, former Prime Minister of Italy; and Mr. Fumio Kishida, former Prime Minister of Japan. They were joined by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State; Lord Patten of Barnes, former Chancellor of the University of Oxford; and Prof. Marion Ackermann, Vice Chair of the German Nomination Committee and President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, who attended on behalf of Prof. Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, International Advisor and former President of the Goethe-Institut.

A congratulatory video message was also delivered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in which she expressed her hope that arts and culture would deepen mutual understanding and respect among people and contribute to peace and harmony throughout the world.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitahi then presented the Praemium Imperiale medals to the Laureates in each category. Mr. Herbert Blomstedt, the Music Laureate, was unable to travel to Japan for health reasons. His medal was accepted on his behalf by Mr. Stefan Forsberg, President of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

The Laureates of the 37th Praemium Imperiale are:

In addition to the medals, each Laureate received a testimonial letter and an honorarium of 15 million yen, presented by the trustees and members of the Selection Committee of the Japan Art Association.

On behalf of the Laureates, Mr. Daniel Libeskind, the Architecture Laureate, delivered a speech of thanks, expressing his gratitude for the honor.

Approximately 200 guests attended the ceremony, including previous Praemium Imperiale Laureates such as Mr. Cecco Bonanotte (2012 Sculpture) and Mr. Shigeru Ban (2024 Architecture), as well as ambassadors and distinguished figures from the international arts community. Thay gathered to celebrate the achievements of this year’s Laureates.