Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a ceremony to present the National Honor Award to Mr. Hisaya Morishige, an actor who passed away on November 10, at the Prime Minister's Office, handing the certificate of commendation and shield to his second eldest son, Mr. Tatsuru Morishige.

The award was presented to commend Mr. Morishige's various activities that he conducted over many years at the forefront of the entertainment scene in Japan, and many acts and songs he excellently performed for films, plays, and radio and TV programs loved by a wide range of people, filling the people's hearts with dreams, hope, and joy. 　

The National Honor Award was established in August 1977 to honor those persons, respected by a broad spectrum of the people, whose distinguished accomplishments have brought the light of hope to society. Mr. Morishige has become the 18th award winner.