Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto has missed two major events in Japan. One was a prestigious award ceremony recognizing his contributions to Japanese culture. The other was a meeting with Nintendo investors.
The 73-year-old creator behind Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pikmin was unable to participate in Nintendo’s latest investor Q&A session due to what the company described as a “sudden illness.”
Nintendo says Miyamoto’s condition is stable and that he is expected to recover within several days to a week. The company has not disclosed the nature of his illness.
His absence follows another missed appearance earlier this week. Miyamoto was unable to attend a ceremony at Japan’s Imperial Palace honoring his achievements in video games.
Nintendo Addresses Miyamoto’s Sudden Illness
As first highlighted on X by user OatmealDome, Nintendo disclosed Miyamoto’s illness in a note accompanying the Japanese transcript of its latest investor Q&A session.
[Investor Q&A]
Miyamoto was absent from the Q&A due to a “sudden health issue”. His condition is stable and he is expected to recover within a few days to a week.
This follows on reports that Miyamoto did not attend a ceremony on Nov 3 for his Order of Culture award.
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) November 6, 2026
A machine translation of the statement reads:
“Representative director and fellow, Shigeru Miyamoto, was absent due to sudden illness. However, Mr. Miyamoto’s condition is currently stable, and he is expected to recover in a few days to a week.”
Nintendo provided no additional medical details, leaving the precise nature of his illness unknown.
A screenshot of Shigeru Miyamoto finding the letter K in Donkey Kong Land at Universal Studios – YouTube, Nintendo
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Miyamoto remains one of Nintendo’s most influential figures, serving as a representative director and fellow. Although he has gradually stepped away from the day-to-day development of individual games, he continues to help guide the company’s creative direction.
His involvement also extends to Nintendo’s theatrical projects. These include The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
Miyamoto Also Misses Prestigious Japanese Award Ceremony
The investor meeting was not the only major event Miyamoto missed this week.
On November 3, Japan held its annual Order of Culture ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Miyamoto was among eight individuals selected to receive the honor, but he was the only recipient who did not attend.
According to Jiji Press, Japan’s government announced the recipients on October 23. Miyamoto became the first person from the video game industry selected for the distinction.
A screenshot of Shigeru Miyamoto meeting Donkey Kong at Universal Studios – YouTube, Nintendo
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As That Park Place previously reported, Miyamoto was recognized in the field of Media Arts (Gaming). His selection marked a milestone for the industry.
The Order of Culture is among Japan’s highest distinctions. It recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation’s cultural development.
Miyamoto had been expected to receive the decoration from Emperor Naruhito during the November 3 ceremony, which coincided with Japan’s Culture Day. Instead, the other seven recipients accepted their medals without him.
Japanese media confirmed his absence but did not initially establish why he was unable to attend. It remains unclear whether his illness also prevented him from accepting the award in person.
Miyamoto Had Planned to Accept Award on Behalf of Colleagues
Speaking at Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters following the announcement, Miyamoto emphasized that his accomplishments were the product of collaboration rather than individual achievement.
“As I have often said, these achievements were not the work of one person, but the result of collaboration with many others,” Miyamoto explained in remarks translated by Automaton.
He said he intended to accept the award on behalf of the many developers, artists, programmers, and other colleagues who contributed to Nintendo’s success.
The recognition follows nearly five decades with the company. Miyamoto joined Nintendo in 1977 and helped create some of gaming’s most recognizable franchises, beginning with 1981’s Donkey Kong.
Mario and Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo
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His influence continued through Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pikmin. His work helped establish Nintendo as one of the world’s leading entertainment companies.
Miyamoto was previously named a Person of Cultural Merit in 2019. His selection for the Order of Culture represents another major distinction.
The missed ceremony is particularly unfortunate given Miyamoto’s enthusiasm for the recognition. He had hoped to share the honor with the colleagues who helped build Nintendo’s success.
Miyamoto Recently Appeared in Pikmin Presentation
Despite his absence from the two events, Miyamoto was featured in Nintendo’s November 1 Pikmin Day Direct presentation.
The prerecorded presentation celebrated the franchise he created and introduced November 1 as an annual day dedicated to the colorful creatures.
Miyamoto opened the presentation by explaining the significance of the date. It resembles the original red, blue, and yellow Pikmin standing together. However, because the presentation was recorded in advance, it does not establish his condition at the time of the broadcast.
A screenshot of Shigeru Miyamoto entering Donkey Kong Land – YouTube, Nintendo
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For now, Nintendo’s assessment offers a reassuring outlook. The company expects Miyamoto to recover within days, although it has not announced when he will resume his public appearances.
After nearly 50 years helping shape Nintendo and the video game industry, Miyamoto has earned the opportunity to celebrate his latest honor. Hopefully, his recovery will allow him to do so soon.
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