2026 Good Design Award Winners Honored at Tokyo Ceremony
Television personality Eiji Wentz hosted the annual event celebrating innovation and excellence in design.
The Japan Institute of Design Promotion hosted the 2026 Good Design Award celebration, titled "GOOD DESIGN AWARD Live & Lounge," on November 4 at the NHK Hall in Tokyo. The event recognized organizations and companies for their contributions to industrial development and quality of life, highlighting the year's most impactful design achievements.
Television personality Eiji Wentz and announcer Ayako Kato served as masters of ceremonies for the evening. Throughout the event, Wentz interviewed award recipients and jurors, expressing his appreciation for the dedication required to bring new designs to life. Reflecting on the experience, Wentz noted that learning about the passion and history behind each project was a "valuable opportunity" to understand the creative process.
The prestigious Good Design Grand Award was presented to Yamaha Corporation for its EAD50, a drum expansion module featuring a dedicated microphone. The jury praised the product for seamlessly integrating high-level technology with a design that prioritizes the performer's freedom and enjoyment. Suzuki Gen, vice-chair of the jury, remarked that the product perfectly embodied the company's vision of creating a future where individual personalities shine through the power of music.
In addition to the main awards, the event announced the winner of the "Good Design Selected by the Public," a category determined by votes from visitors to the Good Design Exhibition. The honor went to NEC Corporation for its facial recognition walk-through ticket gate. This touchless system, which replaces traditional ticket barriers, aims to reduce congestion and improve accessibility for commuters with mobility constraints.
During the ceremony, discussions touched on the evolving nature of design in the modern era, including the integration of artificial intelligence. Japan Institute of Design Promotion Chairman Hiroshi Naito emphasized the importance of understanding and engaging with new technologies, noting that their influence is unavoidable. Juror chair Jun Nakagawa added that while social impact remains a priority, the communicative power of design continues to be a vital element of the field.
The 2026 Good Design Awards saw a rigorous selection process, with 1,484 winners chosen from a pool of 5,111 entries. The selection committee, composed of leading experts from Japan and abroad, identified 32 special award winners from the "Good Design Best 100" list, culminating in the selection of the Grand Award recipient. The evening also featured a surprise musical performance by Cornelius, who presented a trophy to the winner of the public-selected category.