On May 9, 2025, singer and former Morning Musume member Maki Goto, 39, graced the stage at the 'Rakuten Kobo Electronic Books Award 2025' ceremony held in Tokyo. The event celebrated her photo collection 'flos,' which was released in November 2024 and won the Grand Prize in the photo collection category.
'Flos' has become a significant success, achieving ten reprints in its regular edition while also excelling in its electronic version, which has set a record for the highest sales among electronic photo collections in Japanese history. Goto expressed her joy and gratitude while holding the award, saying, "I am truly happy to receive such a wonderful award. Actually, I had been offered photo collections before, but this time I wanted to release a photo collection myself, so I was able to release this 'flos' with the cooperation of many people."
Goto attended the ceremony wearing a floral dress that echoed the title of her work. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, "Recently, I feel that the time I spend smiling in my work and life has increased, and that has naturally led to good expressions. I am truly grateful that this work, which I was able to start thanks to everyone, has received such a prestigious award."
During the event, the moderator highlighted the remarkable achievement of 'flos' becoming the best-selling electronic photo collection in Japanese history, as reported by Media Do on March 7, 2025. Goto commented on this milestone, stating, "When I was in my teens or twenties, it was mainstream to enjoy paper books. However, thanks to electronic books, I think more people have been able to see it, so I am truly grateful. I am happy that people of a wider age range are supporting me, and especially that women are casually picking up the photo collection."
Goto noted the positive feedback she has received from fans, saying, "I also receive a lot of comments from fans at live venues saying, 'Your photo collection was really good,' and I feel that the electronic book has reached generations who didn't know about me until now."
To commemorate her award, Goto announced that a special edition of the 'Rakuten Kobo Limited Cut Included Maki Goto Photo Collection flos' would be released, featuring five new bonus cuts she personally selected. She explained her selection process, stating, "I chose natural photos that would look good on any page, images that wouldn't overshadow the other pages, but that would create an atmosphere, not just a straight-on, posed shot, but something that would really create a natural atmosphere where people could enjoy themselves."
As she concluded her remarks, Goto expressed her heartfelt appreciation to her fans and supporters, saying, "I am very honored to receive the Grand Prize in the Photo Collection category of the Rakuten Kobo Electronic Books Award. The photo collection 'flos' is a very important work that I created in a year that was a milestone for me. I am happy that the photos filled with my thoughts and feelings have reached so many people, and I feel that my hard work in photography has paid off. Thank you very much to everyone who viewed 'flos'!"
Goto's photo collection 'flos' not only showcases her artistic journey but also highlights the evolving landscape of publishing, where electronic formats are gaining traction among diverse audiences. The award ceremony marked a significant moment not just for Goto, but for the electronic book industry, reflecting a shift in how readers engage with content.
The 'Rakuten Kobo Electronic Books Award' recognizes outstanding works sold at the 'Rakuten Kobo Electronic Books Store' across various categories, including comics and photo collections. This year's awards also included a special recognition for works that have won for three consecutive years, emphasizing the ongoing impact of digital literature.
As the world continues to embrace digital formats, Goto's success story serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and authors alike, demonstrating that innovation and passion can lead to remarkable achievements.
