Japanese actor Yakusho Koji, who won the best actor award at this year's Cannes Film Festival, says it feels like a dream to receive the prize.

Yakusho earned the award for his performance in the movie "Perfect Days." He spoke with NHK after the award ceremony on Saturday.

Yakusho referred to the Japanese film "Unagi"-- meaning "eel" in English -- which won the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, in 1997. Yakusho starred in the film, and he said experiencing the festival's enthusiasm made him feel the power of films and motivated him to work hard.

Asked what part of his performance may have appealed to the European film community, Yakusho said Hirayama, the character he played in "Perfect Days," went through hell. He said this may have made viewers want to encourage him to persevere to live a new life.

When asked about his goal, Yakusho said he wants to continue to carefully approach his role in every Japanese film in which he acts, as he has been doing.

He noted that Asian film directors, including Japan's Koreeda Hirokazu, are highly evaluated. He said he believes that Asian films could be even more powerful if Asian people work together. He added that he will actively work to be part of this.