Awarded gamesMinister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award goes to the Pokémon

The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award is given to individuals who have contributed to the development of the computer game industry and thus to the Pokémon was selected for the award.

In 1996, Game Freak, Inc. launched Pocket Monsters Red and Green for the Game Boy, creating unprecedented game offering exchanges and battles, and collection aspects. Until now, the company’s outstanding creativity and passion have been creating new experiences one after another.
The video game series was released with the animation broadcast in 1997 in Japan and 1998 in the U.S., the next year. In Japan, Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back was released, exploded in popularity across the globe, and grew into a major franchise all over the world.
Starting with the Pokémon video game series, the franchise has expanded into various fields such as card games, animations, movies, and licensed merchandise, building a shared and beloved culture that transcends generations, countries, and regions.
Pokémon GO, which was released in 2016, served as the catalyst for introducing AR and location-based gaming to a broader mainstream audience, and even in recent years, spin-off contents such as Pokémon Sleep. Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Pokémon Pokopia, Pokémon Champions, and others and continue to generate significant buzz.
Furthermore, through initiatives with diverse sectors such as regional revitalization, art, traditional crafts, and sports, it has contributed to the revitalization of a wide range of industries and local communities as well as the gaming industry.
The series has been creating innovative plays based on video games for a long period of 30 years since the release of Pocket Monsters Red and Green, connecting players beyond generations through play. This award recognized its great contribution to the evolution of the global game culture and its industry.