Actor�Shirota Yu received the rookie award for theatre from the "the 65th Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival (Bunkacho Geijutsusai)", and held a press conference on December 21st. The role that bequeathed the award was "Death (Der Tod)" from the musical "Elisabeth", which was performed from August 9th~October 30th at the Imperial Garden Theater.

Shirota commented at the press conference, "I was just�informed yesterday, so I'm very moved to receive this�esteemed award, but at the same time, very surprised as I still can't believe it!"

The annual "ACA Arts Festival" was first�launched�in 1948, and was organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (a special body of the�Japanese Ministry of Education) to encourage artistic creativity and advancement of the arts.

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Source & Photo: Oricon style