*Originally published in Japanese in Forbes JAPAN on September 26th, 2024.
English translation by the author.
On September 15 (U.S. time), the 76th Emmy Awards — considered the pinnacle of television honors and often dubbed the "Academy Awards of TV" — were held in Los Angeles. FX’s historical drama Shōgun, referred to by many as a Hollywood-scale Japanese epic, swept an unprecedented 18 major categories. It was a historic night.
Among the honorees was Hiroyuki Sanada, who not only produced Shōgun but also starred as Lord Yoshii Toranaga. He won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor and delivered a speech that stood out for its striking brevity and profound impact.
Sanada's speech lasted just one minute, with only 89 words. It was the shortest, slowest, and yet most resonant speech I have encountered in years of observing award ceremonies. What made it remarkable was not only its content but also his presence — a calm intensity that challenged conventional notions of how powerful communication must look or sound.
The speech, delivered between 1:23 and 2:23 in the official video, reads as follows:
“Thank you, thank you so much. Oh my goodness. Ah, I’m beyond honored to be here with amazing nominees. And thank you for FX, Disney and Hulu for believing in me. And thank you, my team, for always supporting me. And thank you for all the crew and cast of ‘Shogun.’ I’m so proud of you. It was an East-meets-West dream project, with respect. And ‘Shogun’ taught me that when people work together, we can make a miracle. We can create a better future together. Thank you so much!
”
Three Core Messages in His Words
Sanada's speech contained three key themes:
- Humility and Gratitude
From the very first line, "Thank you, thank you so much. Oh my goodness," Sanada conveyed both humility and wonder. He honored the fellow nominees and expressed genuine surprise and appreciation for being among them. This modesty amplified the authenticity of his words. - Acknowledging Support
Sanada thanked FX, Disney, Hulu, and his own team for believing in him. This wasn't just name-dropping; it emphasized that individual success is always built on collective belief and support. - Pride in the Team and Shared Values
He expressed deep pride in the cast and crew of Shōgun, underscoring that the achievement was the result of collaborative effort. He highlighted the East-meets-West nature of the project and the mutual respect that made it meaningful, ending with the powerful idea that cooperation creates miracles and a better future.
Delivery and Tempo: The Power of Stillness
The impact of the speech was amplified by Sanada's extraordinary delivery. Here are three notable aspects:
- Commanding Presence
A typical speech in English runs 120–150 words per minute. At 89 words, Sanada's pace was nearly three-quarters of that speed, projecting calm confidence. In a room where many rush through their remarks, he owned the silence, choosing words deliberately. This quiet poise drew attention, not away. - Emotional Clarity
The slower rhythm allowed each word to resonate more deeply. His gratitude, pride, and humility were all felt through carefully enunciated phrases, giving emotional weight to simple expressions. - Stage Awareness and Performance
Sanada's background as an actor was evident in his command of timing and space. His restraint created a sense of gravitas, compelling the audience to listen with intent. Nothing about his delivery was accidental.
Visual Poise: Wardrobe and Body Language
Sanada’s presence was further enhanced by his appearance. He wore a Dior Men all-black ensemble, featuring a satin-lapel black suit, black shirt and tie, patent leather shoes, and black-rimmed glasses. His black hair was tied back in a low ponytail.
The monochrome look visually elongated his figure, adding height and presence despite his modest stature. The pocket square — a subtle, satin-matching TV fold peeking out just a centimeter — added refinement without distraction. The entire silhouette emphasized verticality, cohesion, and calm power.
The lack of ornamental excess in his attire mirrored his speech: focused, intentional, and free of unnecessary embellishment. Visually and vocally, Sanada delivered his message in perfect harmony.
Even his movements reflected control. There were no restless gestures, no darting eyes, no signs of nervous energy. His posture and tone conveyed composure and inner strength, drawing the viewer's attention to the substance of his message.
A New Benchmark for Global Public Speaking
Sanada’s performance defied outdated assumptions about presence. Despite being shorter than most of his peers (officially 170cm), he appeared towering in gravitas. He demonstrated that presence comes not from size, but from alignment between intention, delivery, and self-awareness.
His speech proved that when a message is distilled to its essence and spoken with clarity and conviction, it can carry more weight than lengthy declarations. For executives and leaders, it offers a new model: say less, but mean every word.
Sanada’s 89-word moment was more than an acceptance speech. It was a masterclass in composure, intention, and global presence. And it signals that we may be entering a new era in public communication—one defined not by volume, but by depth.