Special Award for Female Category
Girls' Generation / Singer
They made a grand debut in South Korea in 2007. Korean idol singer group in the spotlight, achieving the first place in the music chart in Korea as well as Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, touring also in China and widening their appearance across Asia. The debut single "GENIE" was released in Japan in 2010. Their unique dance created a sensation among the Japanese audience and the album ranked in forth highest selling album which is the record-breaking achievement for a debut work of foreign girl group in Oricon history in Japan. (Sep. 20)
Special Award for Male Category
KEISUKE HONDA / Football player
Born in 1986. Currently play for PFC CSKA Moscow (Russia). In 2005, he officially joined Nagoya Grampus Eight and became a regular in the club the following year, signed a deal with VVV-Venlo and moved to the Netherlands in 2007. His remarkable performance was spotlighted in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. He also won the Asian Cup the following year and received the Man of the Match Award. Actively performing worldwide.
10’s
EMI TAKEI / Actress
Born in 1993. An up-and-comer actress and model. After receiving model and multi-media awards from the 11th National Beautiful Girl Contest, she became an exclusive model for most popular, Japanese teen magazine "SEVENTEEN" since Feb. 2007 to present. She appears actively in many spotlighted movies and TV commercials and casted in the popular nation-wide period drama, "Tairano Kiyomori" from January 2012.
20’s
YUKO OSHIMA / AKB48,Actress
Born in 1988. The leading member of Japanese female idol group "AKB48". While performing as the most popular icon of AKB48, with her appealing look, she actively appears solely as an actress and a talent in various TV dramas and programmes. Currently she is starring in a popular TV drama series, "Watashi ga Renai Dekinai Riyū" (The Reason I Can't Find My Love).
30’s
RYOKO YONEKURA / Actress
Born in 1975. Japan's leading actress and model who actively appears in movies, theatres and TV commercials as well as gracing the pages of many women's magazines.She played the leading role in the Japanese novelist, Seicho Matsumoto's drama "Kurokawa No Techo" in 2004, and popular drama "THE NEGOTIATOR" in 2008 and its related series. She made her debut after receiving the Special Jury Prize at the 6th National Beautiful Girl Contest.
40’s
REI DAN / Actress
Received a recognition as a top actress in Japan's foremost opera school, Takarazuka Revue Company since 1999 until 2005 of her leave. She made a debut as an film actress in Yoji Yamada's acclaimed film "Bushi no Ichibun" (Love and Honour), also received various film awards such as Japan Academy Prize for the best actress.
50’s
KIMIKO YO / Actress
She formed a drama group "Tokyo Ichikumi" in 1986 and expanded her career along with appearances in films and TVs until disbandment of the group in 1970. In 1998, she received many prestigious national film awards in Japan such as the Japan Academy Awards, the Mainichi Film Awards and the Blue Ribbon Awards for her magnificent performance in her role of "Ah, Haru" (Wait and See) and "GakkoⅢ" (A Class to Remember Ⅲ), also won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Japan Academy Prize for "Okuribito" (Departures) in 2008 and "Dear Doctor" in 2009 respectively.
60’s－
RURIKO ASAOKA / Actress
She came out in 1955. Acted "Lily", the Madonna at the time of the nation-wide popular movie release, "Otoko Wa Tsuraiyo" and made her appearance in this film the most of any actresses. She received many awards; the 6th Golden Arrow Award in 1968, the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Actress in 1975, the Tanaka Kinuyo Award in the Mainichi Film Awards in 1995, the Tokyo Cultural Honour Prize in 1989 and the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2002.
Male
KOHICHI SATO / Actor
Born in 1960. He won the Newcomer Award Blue Ribbon Award for his debut film "Seishun No Mon" (Gate of Youth) in 1981, and Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor and Nikkan Sports Film Award for "Chushingura Gaiden Yotsuya Kaidan" (Crest of Betrayal) in 1994, the Best Supporting Actor Award for "White Out" in 2000 and the Best Actor for "Yuki Ni Negaukoto" (What the Snow Brings) in 2005 at Tokyo International Film Festival Best Actor Award and Mainichi Film Award.