Voice actor Masako Nozawa, best known as the voice of Goku in Dragon Ball, has been named a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government. The announcement was made through her agency Aoni Production on X (formerly Twitter). Nozawa is the first voice actor in history to receive this honor.

Aoni Production released a statement saying, “We are proud to announce that our talent, Masako Nozawa, has been selected as a 2025 Person of Cultural Merit. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the fans and industry colleagues who have supported her over the years.”

Nozawa also shared her heartfelt thoughts upon receiving the recognition.

Masako Nozawa’s Full Comment

“Before I knew it, I had spent so many years walking alongside my voice. To receive such a wonderful reward for simply continuing what I love is deeply moving.

I accept this award on behalf of the entire voice acting community. I feel incredibly proud that this recognition shines a light not only on my seniors and current peers but also on the younger generation stepping into the world of voice acting.

I am also truly grateful to the creators who bring stories and characters to life, and to all the fans who continue to support us. Thanks to everyone’s passion, our culture has been nurtured, and we voice actors have been able to grow within it.

My only real strength is my energy, so I will keep giving my all to deliver my voice and hope to give back, even just a little, to the culture that has given me so much.”

Source : ORICON NEWS