Masahiro Motoki has won the Best Performance by an Actor Award at the third annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards(APSA) for his leading role in Okuribito (Departures) 　held on 26th November, at Gold Coast, Australia.

Japan was further acknowledged by a special award presented to Isao Matsuoka, former Toho Chairman, who was the recipient of the FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film.

In 2009 APSA, in terms of countries, Japan had the highest number of nomination.

Japanese Nominees of 2009 at APSA

＜Achievement in Directing＞
'Ai no Mukidashi ' (Love Exposure)
Sion Sono

＜Best Performance by an actor＞
'Okuribito' (Departures)
Masahiro Motoki　　　※Won the Best Performance

＜Animated Feature Film＞
'Sukai Kurora' (The Sky Crawlers)

'Perviy Otryad' (First Squad: The moment of Truth)

''Samâ Wôzu' (Summer Wars)

＜Best Screen Play＞
'Okuribito' (Departures)
Screenplay: Kundo Koyama

＜Documentary Feature Film＞
'Seishin' (Mental)

＜FIAPF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film＞
Isao Matsuoka 　

For further information, please access the following APSA Official site.
http://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/