Japanese Actor Receives Award From Country

TOKYO - Yuuya Yagira, the youngest person ever to receive the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival, has received an award from the Japanese government for his performance in "Nobody Knows."

Takeo Kawamura, the minister of education, culture, sports, science and technology, awarded Yagira, 14, with a commendation certificate at a ceremony Wednesday at the ministry.

"He won the Cannes prize for his superb acting, realizing the director's ideas. The Cannes award was also epoch-making in the sense that the quality of Japanese movies today was commended," the ministry said in a statement.

"Nobody Knows" was Yagira's first movie. He played the eldest of four siblings who must take charge of the family when their mother abandons them. The film opened in Japan last month, where it has earned critical acclaim.

[ August 25, 2004 The Associated Press ]