On September 11, Hokkaido announced that Tadaaki Otaka, the conductor laureate, had received the 2026 Hokkaido Merit Award. The Hokkaido Merit Award is presented to individuals or organizations who have contributed to the development of Hokkaido's economy, society, culture, and other fields, and their contributions are particularly outstanding. It is the highest honor among the awards presented by the governor. Since its establishment as the Hokkaido Development Merit Award in 1969 (renamed the Hokkaido Merit Award in 1998), this is its 58th presentation. Otaka is a conductor laureate who has conducted major orchestras both in Japan and abroad as a conductor. At the same time, he has served for many years as conductor and music director of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, and has developed community-based activities based at the Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara, contributing to the promotion of Hokkaido's culture and social contributions. For more details about the Hokkaido Merit Award, please also visit the Hokkaido website.