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The Activities of the Japan Foundation

Other Initiatives
Promoting Understanding of and Participation in International Cultural Exchange

The Japan Foundation gives the Japan Foundation Awards and the Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship to individuals and groups who have contributed to deepening mutual understanding between Japan and the world through international cultural exchange, and to groups who engage in outstanding community-based international cultural exchange.

The Japan Foundation Awards

The Japan Foundation Awards are given to individuals and groups who make particularly significant contributions to the promotion of international mutual understanding and friendship through academic, artistic or other cultural activities. In FY2019, the 47th such occasion, three recipients were chosen from a total of 73 individuals and groups.

FY2019 recipients and reasons for the award

Photo of TANIKAWA Shuntaro

(c) FUKAHORI mizuho

TANIKAWA Shuntaro (Poet) / Japan

TANIKAWA Shuntaro has been crafting poetry since 1952 and his activities span a wide range of literary styles that include poetry, lyrics, screenplays, picture books, fairy tales and essays. His numerous works have been featured in Japanese-language learning materials. These works include Word Games: Nonsense Pictures and Rhymes, which can help learners gain a sense for the distinctive rhythm and sound of Japanese, and To Live, a poem that tackles universal subjects in plain language. Moreover, these works have been translated into over 20 languages and have been instrumental in bridging the cultural distance between Japan and other countries.

Photo of people of Association of Indonesian Alumni From Japan

Association of Indonesian Alumni From Japan (PERSADA) / Indonesia

Established in 1963, the Association of Indonesian Alumni From Japan (PERSADA) is an association of people who previously studied in Japan. Today, PERSADA has around 8,000 former international students to Japan and undertakes numerous meaningful activities. In 1986, PERSADA and the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association led the founding of Darma Persada University, a private institution. The university has produced a large number of human resources who serve as bridges between the two countries. PERSADA functions as a nexus of exchange linking Japan and Indonesia and it is expected to continue to play a core role in friendly exchanges in the future.

Photo of Ewa Pałasz-Rutkowska

Ewa Pałasz-Rutkowska (Professor, University of Warsaw) / Poland

Professor Pałasz-Rutkowska is one of Poland's foremost scholars of Japanese history. Pałasz-Rutkowska engages in research and education at the Department of Japanese Studies, University of Warsaw, and has nurtured many younger generations. Her most noteworthy academic achievement has been her research on Japan-Poland relations from the time of the Russo-Japanese War to the end of World War II. Her book History of Polish-Japanese Relations 1904-1945 remains the only historical account in this field. Furthermore, she has contributed to mutual understanding between Japan and the world by disseminating Japanese culture, compiling publications about relations between Japan and Poland and participating in the organization of international academic societies.

The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship

The Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship are awarded to organizations in Japan that engage in original, forward-thinking initiatives for deepening ties between Japan and other countries, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, ideas and information and encouraging collaborative thinking. In FY2019, the 35th occasion, three organizations were selected for prizes from a list of 98.

FY2019 recipients and reasons for the prize

Photo of a disaster prevention event organized by Multicultural Coexistence Circle of Yokkaichi City Nishi Sasagawa Junior High School

The Multicultural Coexistence Circle of Yokkaichi City Nishi Sasagawa Junior High School (Yokkaichi City, Mie)

Around 30% of the students at Nishi Sasagawa Junior High School have non-Japanese ancestry. Although the school determined the framework for the "Multicultural Coexistence Circle," this circle participates closely in community events, such as student-led disaster drills, the summer festival and school culture festivals. Rather than mere involvement in "multicultural coexistence activities," students participate in this circle with a high awareness of "community building." These community activities undertaken by the students have inspired adults and led to wider activities through families as well as contributed to building close personal relationships between citizens that transcend divisions between non-Japanese and Japanese, with students who have developed an attachment to their hometown establishing their own circles after graduation.

Photo of a field day held in Cambodia by Hearts of Gold

Hearts of Gold (Okayama City, Okayama)

Based on the concept of "fostering the healthy development of body and mind," Hearts of Gold holds Japanese classes and cultural exchange initiatives in collaboration with organizations across Okayama Prefecture designed to support physical education, provide childcare facilities and develop young talent. These initiatives target children, persons with disabilities and the impoverished in areas affected by conflict/natural disasters or in developing countries. Realizing collaboration that brings together private, public and academic institutions has also been drawing considerable attention as a way to solve complex social issues.

Photo of the International Theater Festival

The International Theater Festival Okinawa for Young Audiences Executive Committee (Naha City, Okinawa)

For many years, this festival has provided an opportunity for children and community members to casually acquaint themselves with creative, high-quality theater pieces from around the world based on the idea that a great artistic experience is nuchigusui—literally "medicine for life" in the Okinawan dialect. With around 20 productions from around 10 countries performed each time, the festival develops children's emotional sensitivity and creativity primarily through non-verbal productions and now serves as a hub of the Asian theater festival network that brings together theater professionals from around the world. It is an excellent example of how international cultural exchange can connect hearts at the local, global and individual level, including audiences, theaters, theater troupes, local residents, volunteers and interns from abroad.