Person of Cultural Merit (Japanese: 文化功労者, Hepburn: Bunka Kōrōsha) is an official Japanese recognition and honour which is awarded annually to select people who have made outstanding cultural contributions. This distinction is intended to play a role as a part of a system of support measures for the promotion of creative activities in Japan. By 1999, 576 people had been selected as Persons of Cultural Merit. == System of recognition == The Order of Culture and Persons of Cultural Merit functi…