Person of Cultural Merit

Person of Cultural Merit (文化功労者, bunka kōrōsha) is an official Japanese recognition and honour which is awarded annually to select people who have made outstanding cultural contributions.

This distinction is intended to play a role as a part of a system of support measures for the promotion of creative activities in Japan.

[2] The 1951 Law on Pensions for the Persons of Cultural Merit honors persons of cultural merit by providing a special government-sponsored pension.

Since 1955, the new honorees have been announced on the same day as the award ceremony for the Order of Culture.

[1] The award ceremony, which takes place at the Imperial Palace on the Day of Culture (November 3).