Cate Blanchett receives Japan's top arts prize in Tokyo

Cate Blanchett received the Praemium Imperiale, a major lifetime achievement award from Japan, during a formal ceremony in Tokyo on Wednesday. The honor recognizes excellence in five specific creative fields: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and theater or film.

The prize comes with a financial reward of 15 million yen, which converts to just under $100,000. Each recipient also receives a formal testimonial letter. This year, Blanchett joined four other laureates in receiving the distinction. The group included American artist Jenny Holzer, British sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, American architect Daniel Libeskind, and Swedish conductor Herbert Blomstedt.

Japan’s Princess Hitachi presented Blanchett with her medal at the Meiji Kinenkan in the Moto-Akasaka district of Tokyo. The award is administered by the Japan Art Association. Previous recipients in the theater and film category include Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, Jean-Luc Godard, Martin Scorsese, Judi Dench, and Catherine Deneuve. Ang Lee, a Hollywood director, was the most recent recipient from that industry in 2024.

Blanchett spoke at a press conference before the ceremony about the role of doubt in creative work. She argued that uncertainty is necessary for artistic exploration and connection. She stated that doubt initiates the questioning process and allows for change in a world that often favors certainty.

During her acceptance speech, Blanchett described acting as a profession that can either become overly literal or leave audiences speechless. She explained that her artistic process begins in the gaps between spoken words and unspoken meanings. She said she looks for opportunities in what characters do not say or wish they had not said.

Blanchett noted that her constant doubt about fully communicating a performance is often interpreted by others as a lack of confidence. She clarified that this doubt is her primary artistic tool. It helps her observe, listen, and sense the nuances of a role. She praised her fellow laureates for their courage and rigor in maintaining this level of artistic risk.

Hillary Clinton, who serves as the prize’s U.S. international adviser, attended the press conference. Clinton explained that the advisory network recommends candidates, while the Japan Art Association makes final selections. She stated that the prize asserts that artists are essential to society. She emphasized the need to support the arts while navigating the transformations brought by artificial intelligence.

Blanchett will remain in Japan for additional events. She is scheduled to participate in the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival, which continues through November 4. On Friday, she will join filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and Shahrbanoo Sadat for a question and answer session following the Japanese premieres of five shorts supported by the Displacement Film Fund. Later that day, she will discuss her role in the film Alpha Gang with directors David and Nathan Zellner.