The organizer of the prestigious Japan Fine Arts Exhibition has decided to cancel their selection of top prizes for this year in the wake of reports that screening of artworks was manipulated in one of the five categories in the past.
It is the first time the exhibition, widely known as Nitten and held since 1958 to celebrate works submitted by the public, has not chosen award winners, including the top prime minister's prize.
Covering works in Japanese-style painting, Western-style painting, sculpture, crafts and calligraphy, the show is scheduled to run from Friday through Dec. 8 at the National Art Center in Tokyo. It then travels across Japan. The event typically draws more than 500,000 visitors.