List of Japanese Academy Award winners and nominees explained

Wins:18
Nominations:56
Image1:Hayao Miyazaki cropped 1 Hayao Miyazaki 201211.jpg
Caption:Hayao Miyazaki (pictured in 2012) has won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature category.
List of Japanese Academy Award winners and nominees

This list details Japanese working in the film industry who have been nominated for, or won, Academy Awards (also known as Oscars). These include artists and filmmakers, both naturalized and international co-citizenship, or Japanese film production companies are awarded or honored by the Academy.

In the 1950s, just as after the second World War ended prior in five years, Akira Kurosawa was recognized by the Academy for his contribution as a writer/director of Rashomon (1951), which was received Best Foreign Language Film, and again in 1954 and 1955, Gate of Hell and Samurai, The Legend of Musashi also won the same category; it wasn't established yet as competitive until 1956; Departures (2008) and Drive My Car (2021) ultimately won that category in competitive, making it the most wins and nominations of any Asian countries.

In addition of Japanese people aside from Best Foreign Language Film category, these were the first-time winners for each respective categories: Sanzō Wada is the first Japanese and Asian to be nominated for and to win Best Costume Design in 1954, Miyoshi Umeki is the first Japanese and Asian to be nominated for and to win Best Supporting Actress in 1957, Ryuichi Sakamoto is the first Japanese and Asian to win Best Original Score in 1987, Hayao Miyazaki is the first Japanese and Asian animator to be nominated for and to win Best Animated Feature in 2002, Kunio Katō is the first Japanese to win Best Animated Short Film in 2008, Kazu Hiro is the first and only Japanese to be nominated for and to win Best Makeup and Hairstyling between 2006 and 2017, and Takashi Yamazaki and his Shirogumi crew (consists Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi, and Tatsuji Nojima) were the first Japanese crew to be nominated for and to win Best Visual Effects in 2023.

As of 2024, Miyazaki and Hiro are the only two-time competitive winners for their respective categories.

Drive My Car is the first Japanese film to be nominated the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Production

Best Picture

Best Picture
YearFilmNomineeStatusNotes
2021Drive My CarTeruhisa YamamotoFirst Japanese film to be nominated for Best Picture.

Best Animated Feature

Best Animated Feature
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
2002Hayao MiyazakiSpirited AwayJapanese descent.[1]
First Asian nominated for Best Animated Feature.
First Asian to win Best Animated Feature.
First hand drawn film to win Best Animated Feature.
2005Howl's Moving Castle
2013Hayao Miyazaki
Toshio Suzuki
The Wind RisesSuzuki is of Japanese descent.
2014Isao Takahata
Yoshiaki Nishimura
Both are of Japanese descent.[2] [3]
2015Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Yoshiaki Nishimura
When Marnie Was ThereYonebayashi is of Japanese descent.
2016Toshio SuzukiThe Red Turtle
2017Ramsey NaitoThe Boss BabyJapanese father.[4]
2018Mamoru Hosoda
Yuichiro Saito
Mirai
2023Hayao Miyazaki
Toshio Suzuki
The Boy and the HeronAt age 83, Hayao Miyazaki is the oldest winner of Best Animated Feature.
Miyazaki is the first Japanese person to win in the category twice.
Tied (with Pete Docter) for the most nominations in this category, with four.

Best Animated Short Film

Animated Short Film
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
2002Kōji YamamuraMt. HeadJapanese descent.
2008Kunio KatōLa Maison En Petits CubesJapanese descent.[5]
First Asian to win Best Animated Short Film.
2013Shuhei MoritaPossessionsJapanese descent.[6]
2014Daisuke TsutsumiThe Dam Keeper
2018Ru KuwahataNegative Space

International Feature Film

See also: List of Japanese submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. NOTE: In this category is awarded to countries, not individuals. This list contains directors of nominated films, who typically accept the award on behalf of their country.

International Feature Film
Year
(Ceremony)
Film Original title Director Result
1951
(24th)
Rashomon
1954
(27th)
Gate of Hell
1955
(28th)
Samurai, The Legend of Musashi
1956
(29th)
Harp of Burma
1961
(34th)
Immortal Love
1963
(36th)
Twin Sisters of Kyoto
1964
(37th)
Woman in the Dunes
1965
(38th)
Kwaidan
1967
(40th)
Portrait of Chieko
1971
(44th)
Dodes'ka-den
1975
(48th)
Sandakan No. 8
1980
(53rd)
Kagemusha (The Shadow Warrior)
1981
(54th)
Muddy River
2003
(76th)
The Twilight Samurai
2008
(81st)
Departures[7]
2018
(91st)
Shoplifters[8] Hirokazu Kore-eda[9]
2021
(94th)
Drive My CarRyusuke Hamaguchi
2023
(96th)
Perfect DaysWim Winders

Performance

Best Supporting Actor

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1957Colonel SaitoJapanese descent.[10]
First Asian man to be nominated for an acting Academy Award.
1966Mako IwamatsuThe Sand PebblesPo-HanJapanese descent.[11]
1985Mr. MiyagiJapanese descent.
2003Ken WatanabeThe Last SamuraiJapanese descent.[12]

Best Supporting Actress

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
YearNameFilmRoleStatusMilestone / Notes
1957Miyoshi UmekiSayonaraKatsumi KellyJapanese descent.[13]
First Asian nominated for Best Supporting Actress
First East Asian to win an acting award.
2006Rinko KikuchiBabelChieko WatayaJapanese descent.[14]
First role that used Japanese sign language to ever be nominated.

Craft

Best Director

Director
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
1965Hiroshi TeshigaharaWoman in the DunesJapanese descent.[15]
First Asian nominated for Best Director.
Film was nominated in previous year for Best Foreign Language Film.
1985Akira KurosawaRan
2021Ryusuke HamaguchiDrive My Car

Best Adapted Screenplay

Adapted Screenplay
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
2021Ryusuke Hamaguchi
Takamasa Oe
Drive My CarFirst Japanese film nominated in a screenplay category.

Best Cinematography

Cinematography
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
1970Osamu Furuya
Shinsaku Himeda
Masamichi Satoh
Tora! Tora! Tora!All three are of Japanese descent.[16]
1985Takao Saito
Masaharu Ueda
Asakazu Nakai
RanAll three are of Japanese descent[17] [18]

Best Production Design

Production Design
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
1952So Matsuyama
H. Motsumoto
RashomonBoth are of Japanese descent.[19]
First Asians nominated for Best Art Direction.
1956Albert NozakiThe Ten CommandmentsJapanese descent.[20]
So MatsuyamaSeven Samurai
1970Yoshirō Muraki
Taizô Kawashima
Tora! Tora! Tora!Both are of Japanese descent.[21]
1980Yoshirō MurakiKagemusha
1985Yoshirō Muraki
Shinobu Muraki
RanMuraki is of Japanese descent.[22]

Best Costume Design

Costume Design
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
1954Sanzo WadaGate of HellJapanese descent.[23]
First Asian nominated for Best Costume Design.
First Asian to win Best Costume Design.
1955Tadaoto KainoshoUgetsuJapanese descent.[24]
1956Kohei EzakiSeven SamuraiJapanese descent.[25]
1961Yoshirō MurakiYojimboTied for third most Oscar-nominated Asian of all time, with four nominations.
1985Emi WadaRanJapanese descent.[26]
1992Eiko IshiokaBram Stoker's DraculaJapanese descent.[27]
2012Mirror MirrorPosthumous nomination.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
2006Kazu HiroClickJapanese descent.[28]
First Asian nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
2007Norbit
2017Darkest HourFirst Asian to win for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
2019 Bombshell
2023Maestro

Best Original Score

Best Original Score
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
1966Toshiro MayuzumiThe BibleJapanese descent[29]
First Asian nominated for Best Original Score.
1987Ryuichi SakamotoThe Last Emperor(Shared with Cong Su and David Byrne)
Japanese descent[30]
Sakamoto and Su were the first Asians to win Best Original Score

Best Original Song

Best Original Song
YearNameFilmSongStatusNotes
2022MitskiEverything Everywhere All at Once"This is a Life" Japanese descent

Best Visual Effects

Best Visual Effects
YearNameFilmStatusNotes
2023Takashi Yamazaki
Kiyoko Shibuya
Masaki Takahashi
Tatsuji Nojima
Godzilla Minus OneFirst Japanese production to be nominated and win for Best Visual Effects.

Honorary Award

Honorary Award
YearNameAward
1989Akira KurosawaHonorary Academy Award[31]
To Akira Kurosawa for accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world.
2014Hayao MiyazakiHonorary Academy Award[32]
To Hayao Miyazaki, a master storyteller whose animated artistry has inspired filmmakers and audiences around the world.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Collin . Robbie . May 9, 2014 . Hayao Miyazaki interview: 'I think the peaceful time that we are living in is coming to an end' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161011231909/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10816014/Hayao-Miyazaki-interview-I-think-the-peaceful-time-that-we-are-living-in-is-coming-to-an-end.html . October 11, 2016 . September 25, 2016 . The Daily Telegraph.
  2. Web site: Ito . Masami . September 12, 2015 . Isao Takahata's stark world of reality . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160923203138/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2015/09/12/films/isao-takahatas-stark-world-reality . September 23, 2016 . September 25, 2016 . The Japan Times.
  3. Web site: June 30, 2016 . Film academy invites 683 new members, including 13 Japanese . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161001084917/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/06/30/films/film-academy-invites-683-new-members-including-13-japanese . October 1, 2016 . September 25, 2016 . The Japan Times.
  4. Web site: Gardiner . Margaret . March 15, 2017 . Ramsey Naito: Finding Nothing to Cry About While Producing 'The Boss Baby' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134518/https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/ramsey-naito-finding-nothing-cry-about-while-producing-boss-baby/ . January 25, 2018 . January 23, 2018 . Golden Globes.
  5. Web site: Nidhi . Mahejabeen Hossain . October 22, 2015 . La Maison en Petits Cubes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161106153322/http://www.thedailystar.net/shout/anime-review/la-maison-en-petits-cubes-160549 . November 6, 2016 . September 20, 2016 . The Daily Star.
  6. Web site: Solomon . Charles . April 17, 2014 . Review: Japanese animation in 'Short Peace' communicates vividly . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160623152226/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-short-peace-movie-review-20140418-story.html . June 23, 2016 . September 20, 2016 . Los Angeles Times.
  7. Schilling . Mark . Lim, Marcus . 2008-09-12 . Japan picks 'Departures' for Oscars . . 2008-09-17.
  8. Web site: Blair . Gavin . 27 August 2018 . Oscars: Japan Selects Palme D'Or Winner 'Shoplifters' for Foreign-Language Category . 28 August 2018 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. News: Oscars 2019: The nominees in full . BBC News . 22 January 2019 . 22 January 2019.
  10. Book: Miyao, Daisuke. 1–3. 2007. . Duke University Press. 978-0-8223-3969-4.
  11. Web site: Mako: the Japanese-American actor who fought racist stereotypes. The Japan Times. Roger. Pulvers. September 18, 2011. September 21, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923021713/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2011/09/18/commentary/mako-the-japanese-american-actor-who-fought-racist-stereotypes/. September 23, 2016. live.
  12. Web site: Japanese star Ken Watanabe follows way of the samurai. USA Today. William. Keck. December 11, 2003. September 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160929021504/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-12-11-watanabe-ken_x.htm. September 29, 2016. live.
  13. Web site: Miyoshi Umeki, 78; Japanese singer and actress became first Asian to win Academy Award. Los Angeles Times. Dennis. McLellan. September 6, 2007. September 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923051308/http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/06/local/me-umeki6. September 23, 2016. live.
  14. Web site: Rinko Kikuchi: Actress on Fire in 'Pacific Rim'. IndieWire. David. Chute. July 10, 2013. September 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923035450/http://www.indiewire.com/2013/07/rinko-kikuchi-actress-on-fire-in-pacific-rim-197080/. September 23, 2016. live.
  15. Web site: Hiroshi Teshigahara • Great Director profile. Senses of Cinema. Dan. Harper. May 2003. September 22, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160604023918/http://sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/teshigahara/. June 4, 2016. live.
  16. Web site: DVD Playback: Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). American Society of Cinematographers. Jim. Hemphill. March 2012. September 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927024216/https://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/March2012/DVDPlayback/page3.php. September 27, 2016. live.
  17. Book: Lentz, Harris M.. 302. 2015. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014. McFarland. 978-0786476664.
  18. Web site: DVD Playback: Ran (1985). American Society of Cinematographers. Jim. Hemphill. April 2010. September 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927031503/https://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/April2010/DVDPlayback/page3.php. September 27, 2016. live.
  19. Book: Schneider, Stephen Jay. 246. 2015. 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, 6th edition. Barron's Educational Series. 978-0764167904.
  20. Web site: Albert Nozaki, 91; Art Director for Movie 'War of the Worlds'. Los Angeles Times. Dennis. McLellan. November 29, 2003. September 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160809131605/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/29/local/me-nozaki29. August 9, 2016. live.
  21. Web site: The 43rd Academy Awards Nominees and Winners. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. April 15, 1971. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20150702005544/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1971. July 2, 2015. live.
  22. Book: Monaco, James. 753. 1992. The Movie Guide. Perigee Books. 9780399517808.
  23. Web site: Wada Sanzō (1883-1967). The Lavenberg Collection of Japanese Prints. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927092046/http://www.myjapanesehanga.com/home/artists/wada-sanzo-1883-1967. September 27, 2016. live.
  24. Web site: Beauty looking back, (circa 1928) by Tadaoto Kainoshô. Art Gallery of New South Wales. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927061926/http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/264.1991/. September 27, 2016. live.
  25. Web site: The Seven Samurai (1954) - Articles. Turner Classic Movies. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927075701/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/89649/The-Seven-Samurai/articles.html. September 27, 2016. live.
  26. Web site: Portrait of Japanese movie costume maker Emi Wada and her collaboration with directors Akira Kurosawa, Peter Greenaway and Zhang Yimou. Kering. September 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160920101619/http://www.kering.com/en/magazine/shakespehero. September 20, 2016. live.
  27. Web site: Eiko Ishioka obituary. The Guardian. Veronica. Horwell. January 29, 2012. September 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923125502/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jan/29/eiko-ishioka. September 23, 2016. live.
  28. Web site: Biography — KAZUHIRO TSUJI. Kazu Studios. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160927084826/http://kazustudios.com/about/. September 27, 2016. live.
  29. Web site: Toshiro Mayuzumi, 68, Eclectic Composer. The New York Times. Allan. Kozinn. April 11, 1997. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307202830/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/11/arts/toshiro-mayuzumi-68-eclectic-composer.html. March 7, 2016. live.
  30. The Revenant Composer Ryuichi Sakamoto Explains His Process. Vanity Fair. Spike. Carter. December 29, 2015. September 25, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160127200959/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/12/the-revenant-composer-ryuichi-sakamoto-interview. January 27, 2016. live.
  31. http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/062-25/ Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database
  32. http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2015-memorable-moments 2015 Memorable Moments