Film 'Kokuho' Wins Big at the Japan Academy Film Prize

The 2025 Japanese film Kokuho, or National Treasure, achieved a historic milestone at the 49th Japan Academy Film Prize on March 13, 2026.

Directed by Lee Sang-il, the historical epic dominated the ceremony, securing 10 awards including Best Picture.

Based on the 2018 novel by Shuichi Yoshida, the film follows the life of Kikuo Tachibana, a young man who rises from the world of the yakuza to become a master of Kabuki theater.

Throughout the film, Kikuo shares a complex rivalry and friendship with Shunsuke as both train to perform as onnagata.

Beyond its cultural authenticity, Kokuho became the highest-grossing live-action Japanese film in history, earning over 18 billion yen.

The film also gained international acclaim, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and earning Japan's first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Kokuho stands as a profound exploration of ambition, tradition, and the sacrifice required to achieve true greatness.