The 28th Kamekura Yusaku Award Winners Announced for Graphic Design 2026

Celebrating the 28th Kamekura Yusaku Award Winners

The 28th Kamekura Yusaku Award has been awarded to Mina Tabei for her work "Light, Shapes, and Their Surroundings." The prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to graphic design, was announced by the Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA), led by President Kazushi Nagai. This year, the selection committee reviewed and selected approximately 580 works for the annual compendium "Graphic Design in Japan 2026," marking an acceptance rate of about 28%.

The award named after the legendary designer Yusaku Kamekura, who served as JAGDA's first president, aims to honor exceptional works from various creators regardless of age or experience. Founded in 1999, the Kamekura Yusaku Award continues to influence and promote graphic design excellence throughout Japan and beyond.

The award ceremony is set to take place on June 20, 2026, in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, following the 43rd JAGDA Annual General Meeting. This recognition will also be featured in the upcoming 2026 issue of the yearbook.

JAGDA Awards 2026

In addition to the Kamekura Yusaku Award, the JAGDA Awards for 2026 were also announced, showcasing 10 notable works:

- "Family, Love, and Benefits" (video) by Kimiko Sekido for Kao
- "Yokohama Museum of Art Renewal" (comprehensive) by Atsuki Kikuchi for Yokohama Museum of Art
- "Light, Shapes, and Their Surroundings" (comprehensive) by Mina Tabei for DNP Cultural Promotion Foundation
- "Diagonal Cut Tape" (general graphic) by Koji Iiyama for Kamoi Kakoshi
- "Amid Impasto of Horizons" (environmental/spatial) by Haruka Misawa for Issey Miyake
- "What Once Was Wood" (general graphic) by Mei Otsubo for Takeo
- "Swin-Swin on the Table" (general graphic) by Takamasa Asano for YMP
- "Kokuyo Renewal" (CI/VI symbols/logos) by Taku Sasaki and Aki Kanai for Kokuyo
- "Here and There vol.1-13.5" (book/editorial) by Kazunari Hattori for Bananafish + Neves
- "Nagai Kazumasa Collection: LIFE" (comprehensive) by Kazushi Nagai for Art Newspaper

New Designer Awards 2026

The JAGDA New Designer Awards for 2026 spotlight three emerging talents:

- Mei Otsubo (freelancer)
- Takamasa Asano (freelancer)
- Kazuki Ishida (Sun-Ad)

These awards aim to elevate promising young designers, encouraging the next generation of talent in the graphic design industry. It has now reached its 44th iteration since its inception in 1983.

Upcoming Publications and Exhibitions

The yearbook "Graphic Design in Japan 2026" is scheduled for release in July 2026, featuring about 1,400 works categorized across various design aspects including posters, editorial design, packaging, and digital media. Edited by Nobuo Nakamura and designed by Hiromi Fujiwara, this edition promises to highlight the best of Japanese graphic design.

Accompanying the celebrations, an exhibition titled "Japanese Graphic Design 2026" will take place from June 26 to August 6, 2026, at the Tokyo Midtown Design Hub. This exhibition will feature around 300 selected works from the yearbook, demonstrating the current landscape of Japanese graphic design through various mediums.

With exciting opportunities for both established and emerging designers, the 28th Kamekura Yusaku Award and the associated honors embody a vibrant future for graphic design in Japan, inviting audiences to engage with innovative visual storytelling.