Nihon SF Taishō Awards Honors Notable Works and Creators

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of Japan (SFWJ) recently announced the winners of the 45th Nihon SF Taishō Awards during a ceremony held on Saturday. This year, the prestigious awards recognized a variety of outstanding contributions in the genres of science fiction and fantasy.

Grand Prize Winner

Haruko Ichikawa's manga Land of the Lustrous was awarded the grand prize. This recognition highlights the manga's impact within the literary community.

Special Prize and Achievement Awards

Kenrei Miyanishi received the special prize for their short story collection, Ginga-Fū Hanzō (Sailing on Galactic Winds).
Notable figures including Kazuo Umezu, translator Haruya Sumiya, and novelist Hiroshi Yamamoto were honored with achievement awards posthumously, following their passes away over the last year (details here and here).

About the Awards

The Nihon SF Taishō Awards honor works released between September 1, 2023, and August 31, 2024. The judging panel features prominent figures, including:

Haruna Ikezawa (Voice Actress, Essayist, SFWJ Chair)
Nozomi Ōmori (Translator)
Yūki Shasendō (Novelist)
Tōya Tachihara (Novelist and Translator)
Jōji Hayashi (Novelist)

Prize Details

Grand Prize Winner: Certificate, trophy, and 1 million yen (about US$6,600)
Special Prize Winner: Certificate and trophy
Achievement Award Winners: Certificates only

The SFWJ plans to hold a streamed awards ceremony at the SF Carnival event, taking place at Tsutaya Books' Daikanyama branch in Tokyo on April 26.

Significance of the Awards

The SFWJ's Nihon SF Taishō Awards are widely regarded as Japan's equivalent of the Nebula Awards presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Last year, the organization also recognized late manga creators Leiji Matsumoto and Yuki Hijiri with achievement awards.