The Japanese government is considering awarding the People's Honor Award to Shingo Kunieda, one of the greatest wheelchair tennis players of all time, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Friday.
In January, Kunieda, a winner of 28 Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic gold medals in the men's singles, retired while at the top of the world rankings.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has instructed relevant ministries to decide whether Kunieda, 38, who began using a wheelchair as a 9-year-old as the result of a spinal tumor, is deserving of the award, Matsuno, the top government spokesman said.
The Kishida administration recognizes that Kunieda's accomplishments have inspired people to "dream" for themselves and provided "hope and courage to society," Matsuno said at a news conference.
Kunieda won his third Paralympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and completed a career Grand Slam by winning at Wimbledon last year. He also won 22 Grand Slam doubles titles.
He took up tennis in his final year of elementary school at the advice of his mother, turning professional in 2009.
Established in 1977, the People's Honor Award has been given to 26 individuals and one group for achievements in sports, entertainment and culture.
Two-time figure skating Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu became the latest recipient of the award in 2018.