Actor Go Kato, actress Yaeko Mizutani and physicist Yoji Tozuka are among 23 recipients of this spring's Medal with Purple Ribbon, which is awarded for contributions to the arts and academia, the government said Friday.

Kato, 63, has acted in a number of stage plays, movies and TV dramas, including the samurai drama series "Ooka Echizen."

Mizutani, 62, who assumed her mother's stage name six years ago, achieved her popularity as part of the new theatrical school of acting.

Tozuka, 59, professor at the Institute for Cosmic Ray Research at the University of Tokyo, will be acknowledged for his contributions to research surrounding the complex mechanism of the neutrinos elementary particle.

The list of 23 recipients comprises 19 men and four women. It also includes children's author Kimiko Aman, 69, and 65-year-old Konosuke Odaka, an economist and professor emeritus at Hitotsubashi University.

The Medal with Yellow Ribbon, awarded for longtime contributions to society, will be given to 277 people -- 260 men and 17 women.

Kobe's Toshiko Aoyagi, 89, a former deliverer of telegraph messages, is this year's oldest recipient.

Katsumi Asada, 68, of Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, will be honored for his service as a pioneer sommelier, while 83-year-old Takeichi Suzuki, of Mino, Gifu Prefecture, will receive his award for his contributions to Japan's handmade paper industry.

The Medal with Blue Ribbon, awarded for philanthropy and inventions, will be given to 482 people -- 361 men and 121 women. Among the recipients are Enyu Ishiyama, 64, who will be honored for contributions to child care over 35 years as the director of a nursery.

The 782 recipients will be given an audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace on May 15.