Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has awarded the Order of Culture to Shigeru Miyamoto, setting a major milestone as he becomes the very first video game industry figure to receive this prestigious state honor.
The award recognizes nearly five decades of work by the legendary Nintendo creator, who joined the company back in 1977. Following his recognition as a Person of Cultural Merit in 2019, Miyamoto spoke at a press conference at Nintendo's headquarters in Kyoto on October 22, 2026, ahead of the official announcement. In his trademark humble style, he admitted feeling bashful about the spotlight and made sure to emphasize that he accepts the honor on behalf of the countless teams and colleagues he has collaborated with over the years.
An interactive medium that united three family generations
During his exchange with Japanese reporters, Miyamoto looked back at his beginnings around age 26, when few people understood what the interactive medium would become. Back then, hardly anyone among his peers played games, whereas today gaming spans three generations, with grandparents, parents, and children all sharing the hobby. The creator connected this evolution to Nintendo's heritage, recalling traditional family board games that sat atop wardrobes all year long until everyone gathered to play them during New Year celebrations.
Guided by that mindset, Miyamoto explained that his team's goal was always to place consoles right in the middle of the living room, designing experiences that felt natural and welcoming for lifelong gamers and newcomers alike. That dedication to weaving video games into everyday life shaped pivotal moments throughout his career, particularly during generational shifts when gaming risked alienating casual audiences.
Relentless interface design and the growth of Nintendo worlds
Reflecting on major challenges and turning points, Miyamoto highlighted the transition from GameCube to Wii. He observed a growing social barrier between gamers and non-gamers, largely caused by increasingly complicated controllers that intimidated first-time players. Nintendo answered this hurdle with the Wii and Nintendo DS by stripping controls down to their simplest form, breaking down entry barriers so anyone could pick up and play without friction.
Miyamoto stressed that no other industry designs human interfaces with as much care as video game developers, ensuring every input feels comfortable and intuitive. He also confessed that he spent years resisting movie adaptations because fixing rigid character backgrounds risked restricting creative freedom in future games. Seeing the deep affection fans developed for Mario, Zelda, and Kirby eventually convinced him that theme parks and films could expand that appreciation. Lastly, he credited his hometown of Sonobe and Kyoto for providing the peaceful environment needed to craft enduring experiences away from fleeting metropolitan trends.