Esteemed Japanese voice actress, Masako Nozawa, has made history by becoming the first person in her profession to receive the prestigious Cultural Merit Award. Recognized for her influential career spanning over half a century, Nozawa is most renowned for voicing Goku in the "Dragon Ball" series. With a commendable body of work and dedication to the craft, she was chosen for this honor, reflecting the cultural importance voice acting holds in Japan.

In Japan, voice acting—or seiyuu—is a highly respected profession, with many stars achieving celebrity status. Nozawa's recognition marks a significant moment in the Japanese entertainment industry, one that values the contribution of seiyuu towards popular culture and their role in promoting the country's image globally. The awarding of the Culture Merit Award to a voice actress demonstrates the government's acknowledgement of the cultural impact of anime and the wider domain of voice acting.

In the US and EU, despite the growing popularity of anime and cartoons, voice actors do not typically achieve the same level of fame and cultural recognition as they do in Japan. This award ratified to Nozawa might encourage a greater appreciation for voice actors and their significant role in animation and entertainment industry in these regions.