Start of Entries for the Second International MANGA Award

Embassy of Japan

Jan 4, 2008

• 1) The Second International MANGA Award [1] Executive Committee [2] started to accept entries for the Second Award on December 21, 2007 and will accept entries until February 29, 2008 .  For guidelines for application and entry forms, please see:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/culture/manga/index.html

• 2) The Golden Prize of the Second International MANGA Award will be given to the best MANGA from all the entries and about three distinguished works will receive the Silver Prize.  In addition, taking the opportunity of the award ceremony, the Japan Foundation will invite prize winners to Japan for about 10 days.  They will also meet with Japanese MANGA artists and visit publication companies in Japan.

[1] As part of the active use of pop culture in public diplomacy, the Government of Japan established an International MANGA Award in May 2007 to honor MANGA artists who contribute to the promotion of MANGA overseas. The Award is the realization of an idea first disclosed in the policy speech on cultural diplomacy "A New Look at Cultural Diplomacy: A Call to Japan 's Cultural Practitioners" given on April 28, 2006, by former Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso.  It is expected that the award will further enhance understanding of Japanese culture among overseas cartoonists.

[2] On November 26, 2007, the Second International MANGA Award Executive Committee formally decided to launch the Second Award. The Committee comprises the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, the President of the Japan Foundation, and the members of the Special Committee for Pop Culture of the Council on the Movement of People Across Borders, an advisory council to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs.

[Related links]

*International MANGA Award (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/culture/manga/index.html

*First International MANGA Award (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2007/6/1174276_828.html

*Establishment of International MANGA Award (Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2007/5/1173601_826.html

* Speech by former Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso at Digital Hollywood University "A New Look at Cultural Diplomacy: A Call to Japan 's Cultural Practitioners"

http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/aso/speech0604-2.html