Joe Hisaishi has been a busy guy recently, but given his range of work and frequency, it's nice to see someone admired by so many being given official recognition. The Japanese government announced November 2nd that famed composer Joe Hisaishi would be given the Medal of Honour. Along with Hisaishi, Wild 7 writer Shunsaku Ikehata and Square Enix chairman Yasuhiro Fukushima were also given the same award. Congratulations all around!

In case you've been sticking your head in the sand, Joe Hisaishi is one of the most accomplished composers within Japan. His most popular work has been done for Studio Ghibli films, such as My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, and the Academy Award-winning, highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, Spirited Away. It's hard to deny the influence of Hisaishi's music, and now even the Japanese government has acknowledged his work.

 [via ANN]