Cultural Exchange
The World Cosplay Summit 2026
August 7, 2026
- From July 31 to August 2, the 24th "World Cosplay Summit 2026" was held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. On August 2, during the World Cosplay Championship, pairs of two cosplayers representing 41 countries and regions-including Japan-who had won their respective preliminary rounds, performed on stage dressed as characters from Japanese anime, manga and video games. The team from Hong Kong, which won the championship, was awarded the Foreign Minister’s Prize.
- Cosplay, a form of pop culture originated in Japan, has been playing a role as a gateway to Japanese culture for people, including the young, across the world, and creating opportunities to participate in international exchanges.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards Foreign Minister’s Prize on the champion team as a member of the Executive Committee of the Summit.
(Reference) "World Cosplay Summit"
The World Cosplay Summit began in 2003 in Nagoya, Aichi and this year’s Summit marks its 24th year. The event aims at contributing to the creation of international exchange through youth culture originated in Japan, such as Japanese anime, manga and video games. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, and others, serves as a member of the World Cosplay Summit Executive Committee. The World Cosplay Championship has been held since 2005 and is competed by teams representing Japan and other countries and regions.