Message for the 50th Anniversary of the Japan Foundation Awards

My congratulations ! on reaching the 50th year since the first Japan Foundation Awards were presented ! In Japanese, the Japan Foundation is called Kokusai, Koryu Kikin, which means the “International Exchange Foundation,” and the fact that the Japanese government established a foundation for international exchange is, without a doubt, something to celebrate.

How many years have passed since it became normal to use the words “international exchange?” Of course, we have probably used these words since the end of the Second World War, but it is not that long ago that the word “international” came to be as widespread as it is today. I want to know how elementary school students learn about the word “international.” Why? Because in our world there are so many more “ethnicities” with their own unique languages, cultures, and arts than there are “nations.” Therefore, I believe that the word "multiethnic" should co-exist with the word “international.”

Naturally, when it comes to “humanity,” there is no doubt that everyone wants a peaceful life, and there are important words that act as the “key” to achieving this. One of these words, or in this case, phrases, was left by Mr. Benito Juárez, who went from being a shepherd boy to the president of his homeland of Mexico:
“Respect for the rights of others means peace.”

In other words, we can say that it is natural for the world to applaud the fact that the Japan Foundation has continued to present Japan Foundation Awards to people from around the world whose activities and contributions in a variety of fields allow us to “learn about the rights of others and respect them,” which is vital if the people of the world are to co-exist peacefully. I will close by once again saying my congratulations ! to the Japan Foundation on achieving this milestone !

KURONUMA Yuriko

(Original text in Japanese)

Awards and Special Prizes: Recipients List 1973 - 1995