photo by futaishi tomoki

2021 The Japan Foundation Award

Shō (Japanese wind instrument) performer

MIYATA Mayumi

[Japan]

Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the Japan Foundation Awards, following on from the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan Foundation.

Fifty years. Looking at the history of your activities over this half-century, I am moved by their tenderness, warmth, and strength. Starting around 40 years ago, aid from the Japan Foundation enabled me to perform in various countries and regions, and also to engage in exchange activities with performers and composers from various countries, as well as with the staff that support them.

The world is now facing terrible trials, from the epidemic that spread across the globe, to wars that have drawn in many countries, and natural disasters occurring in several different places. What should we do? We are bewildered by a series of troubles that have exceeded our expectations. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were multiple baseless attacks on different ethnicities.

There is no doubt that in the long history of humanity, such things have occurred repeatedly, but in all of the countries in which I have stayed to date, real, natural, and peaceful exchange has only been possible when individuals come into contact with one another, despite any major problems between states. I am not just talking about people in similar lines of work—this is the same for people in various professions that I meet on the streets.

While looking at the history of these 50 years, I once again became aware of the importance of exchange activities through culture, art, and everyday life. Surely, by repeating such activities, we can walk down the road to a peaceful world, little by little.

I look forward to the next 50 years.

MIYATA Mayumi

(Original text in Japanese)

The Japan Foundation Awards (2021)