By HARUTO HIRAOKA/ Staff Writer
August 30, 2025 at 15:33 JST
A scene from “Kokuho” ((c) Shuichi Yoshida, Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc., (c) 2025 “Kokuho” production committee)
Japan selected a movie set in the shrouded world of Kabuki as its Oscars entry for Best International Feature Film at next year’s Academy Awards.
The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan Inc. announced on Aug. 28 it would submit “Kokuho” (National treasure), the surprise box office hit of the season.
Directed by Lee Sang-il and starring Ryo Yoshizawa, the movie follows the growth of a Kabuki actor who eventually is recognized by the government as a living national treasure.
“Kokuho” had chalked up ticket sales of 11.53 billion yen ($78.4 million) as of Aug. 24, the second highest amount for a non-anime Japanese movie.
The movie is based on the serialized novel with the same title by Shuichi Yoshida that appeared in The Asahi Shimbun in 2017.
In 2022, director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s “Drive My Car” won the Oscar in the international feature film category.
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