TOKYO: The Japanese Order of Culture was conferred on Nobelist Akira Yoshino and others Sunday in the first such conferment ceremony in the Reiwa period, which began in May upon Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.

At the ceremony in the Imperial Palace, the Emperor handed the badge of the order to Yoshino, 71, who shared this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry with foreign researchers, and five other people.

The other five were Japanese "kyogen" traditional farcical play actor Nomura Man, 89, mathematical engineering scholar Shunichi Amari, 83, immunologist Shimon Sakaguchi, 68, political scientist Takeshi Sasaki, 77, and photographer Takeyoshi Tanuma, 90.

The Emperor congratulated them, praising their efforts, achievements and contributions to cultural advancement.

At a press conference, Yoshino, honorary fellow at chemical maker Asahi Kasei Corp., said he is "very happy" that the order was conferred on a person in the science and technology field.

Tanuma, the first photographer honored with the order, said everyone in his field is pleased.

"I took many pictures of people awarded with the order. I didn't even dream of joining those who were photographed," he said with a smile.

JIJI Press