Japanese Government Confirms National Honour for Retired Speed Skater Miho Takagi

The Japanese government has confirmed its decision to confer the National Honour, or Kokumin Eiyōshō, upon retired speed skater Miho Takagi. According to a report by NHK News Japan published on 22 July 2026, the award recognises Takagi’s achievement of winning 10 Olympic medals, a record total for any Japanese female athlete.

The National Honour is a prestigious state award typically bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in fields such as the arts, sports, or public service. The government has now solidified its policy to honour Takagi following her retirement from competitive speed skating after her recent Olympic campaign.

Administrative arrangements for the official ceremony are currently being finalised. The award presentation is scheduled to take place on 28 July 2026, with officials adjusting logistical details to ensure the event proceeds as planned.

While the total count of Takagi’s Olympic medals has been confirmed as 10, the specific breakdown of gold, silver, and bronze awards across her various Olympic appearances has not been detailed in the current government announcements. The focus of the state recognition remains on her cumulative record and her status as the most successful female Olympian in Japanese history.

The confirmation of the award marks a formal institutional acknowledgment of Takagi’s contributions to sport. As the ceremony approaches, attention remains on the state’s recognition of her athletic legacy rather than the specific metrics of her medal count.