Film director Akira Kurosawa, who died of a stroke Sunday at the age of 88, will be posthumously honored for his "outstanding contribution to society," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiromu Nonaka announced Wednesday.
Nonaka said the government has decided to confer the People's Honor Award on the late Kurosawa -- a move welcomed by his family.
Kurosawa will be the first movie director and the 14th person to receive the award, following the late composer Tadashi Yoshida in July, since it was instituted in 1977.
The award is given to those who are widely admired by the public and have given society hope through their remarkable achievements.
Private funeral services for Kurosawa were held at his home in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on Tuesday afternoon.