The 18th Best Mother Awards 2026, which recognizes and honors mothers who serve as role models and inspirations for other mothers, held its awards ceremony in Tokyo on May 7th. Award recipients included actress Saki Aibu, singer Miliyah Kato, and TV personality Akina Minami.
Aibu won in the acting category, Kato in the music category, and Minami in the talent category. In the sports category, former Japan women's national soccer team player Samejima Aya won, and in the arts category, film director Ando Momoko won.
Aibu smiled and said, "I have renewed respect for all mothers in the world, and as one of them, I want to pour my love into my children so that when they grow up, they will call me 'Best Mother'."
Minami said in her speech, "I used to go to bed at 3 a.m. and wake up in the afternoon, but now I go to bed at 11 p.m. and wake up at 7 a.m. It's become difficult to wear my favorite dresses, so I've started wearing clothes that I don't mind getting dirty. On social media, instead of clothes, I now look up places to go on the weekends and nearby parks, so my life has changed completely. There are more things I can't do anymore since having a child, but in return, I've received happiness."
The award has been presented by the Japan Mothers Association since 2008, with recipients chosen by votes from mothers across the country. Past recipients include actresses Ryoko Hirosue and Michiko Kichise, and model Yuri Ebihara.
◇Recipients of the 18th Best Mother Award 2026 (titles omitted)
Saki Aibu(Actress category)▽Akina Minami (Talent category)▽Miliyah Kato (Music category)▽Aya Samejima (Sports category)▽Momoko Ando (Arts category)
