Japanese Government to Honor Fred Schodt

Veteran manga translator and scholar Frederik L. Schodt has announced that he’ll be receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette award from the Japanese government. The Gold Rays with Rosette award is the fourth class of the Order of the Rising Sun recognition, the second most prestigious honor presented by the Japanese government. The Order of the Rising Sun honor is presented to non-Japanese citizens for outstanding contributions to the promotion of foreign relations with Japan.

Schodt is the author of scholarly books on manga including Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics, Dreamland Japan: Writings on Modern Manga, and The Astro Boy Essays: Osamu Tezuka, Mighty Atom, and the Manga/Anime Revolution. Schodt has also translated manga series including Astro Boy, Barefoot Gen, and Ghost in the Shell.

Deserving congratulations are in due to Mr. Schodt. In a larger perspective, it’s encouraging for all international manga and anime fans to see the Japanese government honor a foreigner for his significant contribution to the international understanding and popularization of contemporary Japanese art.

Source: Anime News Network