Latvia's classical violinist Gidons Krēmers on Tuesday received the prestigious Praemium Imperiale award, given annually by the Japan Art Association, reported Reuters.
Japan's Prince Hitachi presented the awards at a ceremony in Tokyo, while Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appeared on screen to congratulate the 2016 laureates, who also included American director Martin Scorsese.
The awards, founded in 1989, recognize individuals who have contributed to the development of international arts in the fields of sculpture, painting, music, theater/film and architecture.