Awards

Since her debut in 1988, OGAWA Yoko has produced numerous novels and short stories. Her literary world, as seen in works like The Housekeeper and the Professor and The Memory Police, exists in seemingly tranquil spaces removed from busy modern society, yet her characters live universal stories as they face and cherish fading memories and life itself. Written in elegant Japanese, 36 of her works have been translated into 37 languages as of mid-2023, resonating with readers worldwide. Recent nominations for international literary prizes have established her as an influential figure not only for global readers but also for Japanese writers and those involved in Japanese-language education, making significant contributions to promoting international understanding through literature and the Japanese language.

© Kodansha

The Peruvian Japanese Association has supported the Japanese-Peruvian community of over 100,000 people while promoting Japanese culture. Centered around the Peruvian Japanese Cultural Center, the APJ has promoted Japanese-language education, becoming a hub for Japanese education in South America. It has also become a central figure in Japanese studies and international dialogues, publishing translations of Japanese literary classics and organizing dialogues among Nikkei communities throughout Central and South America. The APJ has expanded its activities to include medical services that have gained wide recognition. The award recognizes the APJ’s significant contributions to Japan-Peru cultural exchange across various fields in this commemorative year marking the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Peru and 124 years since the start of Japanese immigration.

© APJ

IAVI invites young people with visual impairments from developing countries, particularly in Asia, to Japan and helps them acquire professional skills in anma massage and acupuncture through support for studying at schools for the blind. While providing opportunities for visually impaired individuals from countries where independence and social participation are challenging to build their future, IAVI also contributes to promoting understanding of people with disabilities in developing countries.

Founded by Japanese-Brazilian community members, ABC Japan supports foreign residents in areas such as education, academic advancement, and employment, primarily in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa. ABC Japan’s initiatives, which involve the active participation of foreign residents in the community while collaborating with schools and local government in various projects, go beyond the conventional relationship of “Japanese people supporting foreigners” and are expected to serve as a model for other regions in the future.