LOS ANGELES: The U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organizes the annual Academy Awards, said Tuesday that it has invited actor Koji Yakusho and other Japanese people to join the organization.

The organization invited 487 artists and executives from 57 countries and regions this year.

Besides Yakusho, starred in “Perfect Days,” an Oscar nominee for the best international feature this year, Takashi Yamazaki, director of “Godzilla Minus One,” which won the year’s Oscar for best visual effects, was among the Japanese who were invited.

Also from among this year’s Oscar winners, Takeshi Seyama, film editor for Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron,” recognized as the best animated feature, was invited.

Invitees will get voting rights to choose Oscar winners if they accept the invitations.

The organization, which was criticized for being overwhelmingly white, has been promoting reform for diversity.

This year, 44 percent of invitees are women, and 41 pct are nonwhite.

Past Japanese invitees include directors Takeshi Kitano and Shunji Iwai and actress Sakura Ando.