A maverick jazz pianist and a hearing-impaired barber are among the 810 people who will receive government medals Tuesday in recognition of their contributions to society, the Cabinet Office said Sunday.

A record 153 women will be among the recipients, reflecting their increased involvement in various social activities, a government official said.

The government, which began awarding the three types of medals in 1978, will bestow the Medal with Yellow Ribbon on 279 people for noteworthy devotion to a job.

Among them is hearing-impaired Kazumi Sakai, 77, of Miyazaki Prefecture, who will be honored for having worked as a barber for 51 years.

Nakao Ojima, 60, a bus driver with Tobu Railway Co., will also receive the yellow medal. He has worked for the Tokyo-based transportation company for 34 years. Ojima lives in Saitama Prefecture.

Maverick jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita, 61, from Tachikawa, western Tokyo, will be among the 42 recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon, awarded for contributions to the arts and academics. He is known for occasionally playing the piano with his elbows.

Scientist Junko Nakanishi, 64, will also receive the purple medal in recognition of her contributions to environmental conservation.

The remaining 489 will be awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon, given for philanthropic activities or contributions to the public.

Yuriko Echigo, 75, of Miyagi Prefecture, will receive the blue medal for her more than 20-year struggle to protect human rights. Veteran firefighter Kohei Shimada, 65, of Wakayama Prefecture, will be recognized for his 44-year fire-prevention career.

The recipients will be given an audience with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace on May 13, the official said.

The government also awards the medals in November.