Goku voice actor Masako Nozawa honoured as Japan’s first voice performer named Person of Cultural Merit

In a historic moment for the anime industry, veteran voice actor Masako Nozawa — best known as the voice of Goku in Dragon Ball — has become the first voice actor ever to receive Japan’s prestigious Person of Cultural Merit recognition.

Announced by Nippon TV, Nozawa is among 21 individuals chosen for the 2025 honors, which celebrate exceptional contributions to the advancement of Japanese culture. Established in 1951, the Person of Cultural Merit distinction provides honourees with a lifelong pension of 3.5 million yen per year, and acknowledges figures from diverse fields, including art, science, and entertainment. The honorees are selected annually by Japan’s Prime Minister, with the Order of Culture later awarded to select recipients from this group.

Nozawa, now 88, has had a career spanning more than six decades. Beyond voicing Goku, she has brought to life beloved characters such as Kitaro in GeGeGe no Kitaro and Doraemon in early Doraemon adaptations, making her one of the most influential figures in Japanese voice acting history.

In a statement released through Aoni Production, Nozawa said, “I understand this honor is one I receive on behalf of the voice acting community. I feel immense pride that the spotlight of this award shines not only on myself, but also on my seniors, my peers, and the younger generation who will venture into the future of voice acting.”

She added that she intends to continue using her “energy” and “voice” to give back to the culture that shaped her.

The official ceremony for both the Person of Cultural Merit and the Order of Culture awards will take place on November 3 in Tokyo.