Among the 21 recipients of this year’s Person of Cultural Merit Recognition in Japan is Masako Nozawa (Son Goku, et al.). This marks the first time a voice actor has been selected for the award. As part of the award, the selected individual(s) are provided a special government-sponsored pension.
In conjunction with the award, Nozawa issued the following statement:
気がつけばずいぶん長い時間を“声”とともに歩んできましたが、自分なりに続けてきたことで、こんな素敵なご褒美をいただけるなんて、本当に感激しています。
このご褒美は、声優界を代表してお預かりしたものだと受け止めております。先輩方や現役の仲間たち、そしてこれから声の世界に飛び込んでくる若い世代にも光が当たったことを、とても誇らしく感じています。
また、作品やキャラクターを生み育ててこられたクリエイターの皆さま、そして変わらず応援してくださるファンの皆さまに、心より感謝申し上げます。皆さまの存在があってこそ「文化」が育まれ、私たち声優の歩みも支えていただいてきました。
元気だけが取り柄ですので、これからも全力で”声”を届け、少しでも文化への恩返しができたらと思っております。
When I thought about it, I realized I had walked this path alongside my “voice” for quite a long time, and was able to do it in my own way, so I am deeply moved at receiving this marvelous reward.
I humbly accept this reward in the name of all voice actors. I feel very proud to be able to shine a light on the work of those that came before and inspired me, those that are currently taking on that work, and on the future work of all the young actors and actresses that will step into the world of the “voice” from now on.
Furthermore, I am also incredibly grateful to all the creators that shaped such incredible stories and characters and to all of their fans. It is because of all of you that “culture” can flourish, and it is all of you that support our path as voice actors.
My vitality is my lone saving grace, so I will give it my all to continue delivering my “voice” and give back to the culture, even if just a little bit.