The Japan Game Awards 2026 announced the winners of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and the Annual Works Division on the evening of September 15. "Pokémon: Pokopia" won the Grand Prize in the Annual Works Division.
The Annual Works Division considered games released or significantly updated in Japan between April 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Nominees were first selected through online voting and then evaluated by a judging committee. Awards included the Breakthrough Award, Buzz Award, Game Designers Award, Excellence Award, and Grand Prize.
This year's Breakthrough Award went to "Qualia Existence," while the Buzz Award was given to "Super Chameleon." The Excellence Award recipients include "Death Stranding 2," "Donkey Kong Bananza," "Magical Girl Witch Trial," "Silent Hill f," "Ghost of Yotei," "Digimon Story Time Stranger," "Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road," "Kirby's Air Riders," "Shinrei Tantei FILE38: Ise Mermaid Tale," "Resident Evil: Requiem," "Pokémon: Pokopia," and "Qualia Existence."
The Game Designers Award was established by Masahiro Sakurai in 2010 to recognize original works based on creativity and novelty, as selected by game creators. After 16 years, the award concluded with its 17th edition. This year featured 11 judges, with Masahiro Sakurai serving as the head judge.
The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award was presented to "Pokémon," honoring individuals, groups, or products that have made outstanding contributions to the development of the game industry.
The Future Division, which features unreleased titles exhibited at Tokyo Game Show, is yet to be judged. Online voting will be open from 10:00 on September 17 to 16:00 on September 19. The award ceremony is scheduled for 13:00 on September 20 at the Tokyo Game Show event stage in Hall 1 of Makuhari Messe.