Organizers of the 12th Prince Takamatsu memorial international awards said Tuesday this year's awards will go to two Americans and three Europeans.
The awards, known as the Praemium Imperiale and established in 1987 by the Japan Art Association, honor artists for their contributions to the development of art and culture in five categories -- painting, sculpture, architecture, music and theater/film.
American songwriter Stephen Sondheim won the theater/film award for his achievements in composing musicals. Sondheim, 70, wrote the lyrics for such classics as "West Side Story." Ellsworth Kelly, a 77-year-old American abstract painter, took the painting award.
Niki De Saint Phalle, a French sculptor, 69, received the sculpture award, while British architect Richard Rogers, 66, claimed the architecture prize for his works using state-of-the-art technology.
Hans Werner Henze, 74, of Germany, won in the music category for his dedication to modern opera.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to be held Oct. 26 in Tokyo. The winners will each receive 15 million yen.