Press Releases
Application for the 19th Japan International Manga Award
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan will launch the 19th Japan International MANGA Award and accept entries by non-Japanese MANGA creators from 17 April to 30 JUNE 2025.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007, with the aim of promoting of manga culture and international cultural exchanges through manga by awarding overseas artists for their excellent manga works. The Award has been presented every year since then.
- Among entries, the gold Award will be given to the best work and the Silver Awards to three other excellent works. The winners will be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend the award ceremony. During their stay in Japan, they will also have opportunities to exchange ideas with Japanese MANGA creators and to visit publishing companies.
- Here is the link to the website ( the International MANGA Award
) that contains more information about the application for the 19th Japan International Manga Award.
(Reference1) Japan International MANGA Award
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 for the purpose of expanding international exchange and mutual understanding through world-famous MANGA culture, upon the initiative of then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. ASO Taro.
More information: The 19th Japan International MANGA Award
(Reference2) Application
716 entries, which was record-high number since the establishment, were received from 95 countries and regions last time.
(1) East Asia: 185 entries, (2) Latin America: 150 entries, (3) Europe: 132 entries, (4) Southeast Asia: 104 entries, (5) Middle East: 61 entries, (6) Africa: 35 entries, (7) North America: 31 entries, (8) South Asia: 11 entries, (9) Oceania: 7 entries
(Reference3) The selection process is carried out by the Selection Committee of the Award, and approved by the Executive Committee of the Award
- Members of the Executive Committee of the Award
- Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs [chairperson]
- Mr. KUROSAWA Shinya, President, Japan Foundation
- Dr. SHIRAISHI Saya, Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University
- Mr. SUGIYAMA Kotaro, President, LIGHTPUBLICITY Co. Ltd.,
- Mr. Frederik L. SCHODT, Translator, interpreter and writer
- Mr. MARUSAWA Shigeru, Managing Director, SHOGAKUKAN Co. Ltd.,
- Members of the Selection Committee of the Award
- Ms. SATONAKA Machiko, Manga artist [chairperson]
- Ms. IPPONGI Ban, Manga artist
- Mr. MORIKAWA George, Manga artist
- Mr. KISHIMOTO Kenji, former editor-in-chief of a manga magazine
- Mr. HORI Yasuki, former editor-in-chief of a manga magazine