Press Conferences

Mr. OHTAKA Masato, Press Secretary: I would like to give opening remarks on three matters. The first is regarding the Olympic Truce Resolution which I mentioned recently. I would like to report that it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 9.

The Olympic Truce Resolution this time was adopted by consensus, ultimately with 186 co-sponsoring countries out of all 193 UN Member States. I recognize that this is the result of the support of the UN Member States for the Tokyo 2020 Games to be an important opportunity to build a peaceful and better world through sports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to work together with the relevant authorities for the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Press Secretary OHTAKA: The second matter is also related to sports. Japan has been implementing “Sport for Tomorrow,” our international contribution plan that delivers the value of sports to over 10 million people in over 100 countries and regions around the world, including developing countries, over the seven years from FY2014 to FY2020. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that with the total as of the end of September, we achieved our goal of 100 countries and 10 million people earlier than planned.

The result for our activities through September 2019 was a total of 202 countries and about 10.02 million people.

“Sport for Tomorrow” was a promise to the world by Prime Minister Abe during the IOC meeting in Buenos Aires in 2013 when the decision was made to invite Japan to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Toward the Olympic Games that are coming up soon next year, MOFA will continue to build momentum by steadily implementing projects to invite and dispatch sports leaders and athletes, improve sports-related facilities, and provide equipment.

Press Secretary OHTAKA: The third matter is that I would also like to take this opportunity to make an announcement about the Japan International MANGA Award. As some of you know, MOFA confers the Japan International MANGA Award each year to MANGA artists who contribute to the spread of MANGA culture overseas and international cultural exchange through MANGA.

This is the 13th time the awards will be conferred, and there were 345 entries from 66 countries and regions. Among them, as a result of the impartial judging by the jury conducted last month, Piece of Mind by Guy Lenman of Israel was selected for the Gold Award. In addition, a total of 15 works were given awards, including Silver Awards for three works. There are documents regarding these works at the entrance of this venue, so please read them.

The award ceremony for the 13th Japan International MANGA Award is planned to be hosted by Minister MOTEGI on February 18, 2020 in Tokyo, and the winners of the Gold Award and the Silver Award will be invited.

As many of you know, an extremely large number of people in many countries have had their interest sparked in Japanese culture, the Japanese language, and in Japan itself due to MANGA and anime. From this perspective, we will continue to exert efforts to spread MANGA.