The French government will award Japanese actor and director Takeshi Kitano (popularly known as Beat Takeshi) the Legion of Honor (Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur), the highest French order of merit for military and civilian merits.
Kitano previously received France’s Commandeur decoration in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) in 2010.
Riyoko Ikeda, the manga creator best known for her French Revolution epic Rose of Versailles, received the Chevalier decoration in the Legion of Honor in 2009.
The Order of Arts and Letters honors individuals who have contributed in art, literature, and other areas.