• Top
• Profile

The Japan Foundation awards the Japan Foundation Awards every year since 1973 to an individual or organization that made significant contributions to the enhancement of mutual understanding between Japan and other countries through their cultural activities in academic and art fields. Three recipients of the 2008 Awards have been selected. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will grant an audience to the recipients.

• 
• Marco MÜLLER [Italy]
  Director of Venice International Film Festival
  
  For his contribution to creating a new dimension in a global culture through his efforts to discover excellent Japanese films as well as other Asian films and to introduce the rich and diverse world of Japanese films to the world as the director of major International European Film Festivals.
  
  
  

• 
• Angela HONDRU [Romania]
  Professor, Hyperion University
  
  

  For serving as a pioneer in teaching the Japanese Language, writing textbooks, and conducting extensive research in Romania and for her contributions to the introduction of modern Japanese literature to Romanian readers by her translation.
  
  
  

• 
• Kenneth B. PYLE [U.S.A]
  Professor, University of Washington
  
  For his contribution to the dissemination and development of Japanese Studies in the U.S.A. through his achievements in modern Japanese history, and through the promotion of intellectual exchange between Japan and the U.S.A. as a founder and chief editor of the Journal of Japanese Studies.