At the Asian Hall of Fame ceremony held at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 1 (local time), YOSHIKI was inducted as a Cultural Icon for the Class of 2025. He was recognized for his wide-ranging international achievements in music, film, and fashion, as well as for his continued influence on global art and culture.
Previous inductees of the Hall of Fame include world-renowned cultural figures such as Freddie Mercury of Queen, LISA of BLACKPINK, and acclaimed conductor Seiji Ozawa. With this latest honor, YOSHIKI further solidifies his place as one of Japan’s most celebrated artists and one of Asia’s most iconic cultural figures.
During the ceremony, the presenter introduced YOSHIKI as “a musician, film director, and fashion designer, and the first Japanese artist to have his handprints and footprints immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.” He went on to praise YOSHIKI’s “attention to detail and dedication to bringing hope, beauty, and love to the world,” calling him “one of the most influential creative geniuses of our time.”
YOSHIKI opened the Asian Hall of Fame awards ceremony before departing for a scheduled engagement. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude for the honor and reflected on his journey:
“Thank you, Asian Hall of Fame, for this incredible honor. I’m deeply grateful to be part of a community that continues to inspire the world through its strength and creativity.
I’ve learned that the greatest risk in life is not taking any risk. Every step forward, no matter how uncertain, brings us closer to our purpose.
And now, a new chapter begins. I’ve been quietly building something with everything I have, including the release of my own album. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
I lost my father, I lost my mother, and I lost three of my band members. That pain will always stay with me, but I’ve been blessed with amazing fans and friends who give me the strength to keep moving forward. I can’t thank them enough. I’ll keep going for them.
Before I go, I’d like to play one song. Imagine the rain falling from the sky, washing away all your pain and sadness. This song is for you, and for everyone I love.I’ll play a song called ‘Endless Rain.’”
After the performance, the entire venue was filled with emotion as thunderous applause and cheers echoed throughout the hall.
The Asian Hall of Fame is a non-profit foundation established in 2004 by the Seattle-based Robert Chin Foundation. It is an international awards organization that honors the achievements of individuals of Asian descent and celebrates their cultural and social contributions worldwide. Each year, the Hall of Fame recognizes people and organizations that have made a lasting impact across diverse fields such as art, science, sports, business, and philanthropy, inducting globally active Asian leaders who continue to inspire future generations.
For 2025, twelve individuals and organizations who have made a global impact were selected from a wide range of fields, including music, sports, science, and film. Among the honorees are Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, Michelle Kwan, the silver medalist in women’s figure skating at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and Lee Soo-man, founder of SM Entertainment.
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Asian Hall of Fame Class of 2025
https://www.asianhalloffame.org/inductees
YOSHIKI Official Site: https://www.yoshiki.net/
YOSHIKI YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/yoshikiofficial
YOSHIKI Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoshikiofficial/
