News
The Seventh International MANGA Award Presentation Ceremony
February 14, 2014
A commemorative photograph ofthe award presentation ceremony
Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister forForeign Affairs Mr. Kishi's speech
Ms. Prema Jatukanyaprateep (Thailand)accepts her certificate
Mr. Francis Porcel (Spain) accepts his trophy
- The Seventh International MANGA Award Presentation Ceremony was held at Iikura House on Friday, February 14, 2014. On behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Fumio Kishida, who chairs the Executive Committee, Parliamentary Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Nobuo Kishi presented the certificates and Ms. Machiko Satonaka, who chairs the Jury, presented the trophies for one Gold Award work and three Silver Award works.
- Mr. Nobuo Kishi delivered a speech and remarked that MANGA culture is loved by people throughout the world, especially among younger generations, and assumes the role of an entrance to deep and rich Japanese culture, while expressing appreciation to all parties concerned for their efforts and support. He also said that strengthening economic diplomacy is one of the three pillars of foreign diplomacy, and the international promotion of MANGA and other Japanese contents industries has a great significance in strengthening economic diplomacy, and that he will continue to support the Japanese contents industries, including MANGA, in order that they can play a major role in Japan's export business.
- Ms. Satonaka offered words of encouragement to the winners in her comment, "Although it takes a lot of courage to start something new whatever the field may be, I hope you will keep working on new genres and create a borderless world."
- Ms. Prema Jatukanyaprateep (Thailand), winner of the Gold Award, commented with joy in her speech, "I was lucky to have the support of my family and to have been able to continue creating MANGA thus far. I think the secret to success is to make serious efforts for what you are interested in and to deeply love it."
- Numerous famous MANGA artists, publishing figures, and those involved with culture, including Jury members Mr. Koichi Yuri and Mr. Akira Hirota, attended the ceremony. They exchanged views with the winners in the reception after the ceremony.
- The winners attended the ceremony under the invitational program of the Japan Foundation. During their stay, they also visited publishing companies and places such as the Ishinomori Manga Museum in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, and the World Heritage Site in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture.
Mr. Shimizu (on behalf of NAVER of China)accepts the certificate
Mr. George Alexopoulos (USA) accepts his trophy
Visit to Tohoku(photo provided by the Japan Foundation)
Visit to the Ishinomori Manga Museum(photo provided by the Japan Foundation)