Celebrating its fortieth ceremony in 2024, the Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship has recognized outstanding organizations since 1985. By sharing ideas, wisdom, and knowledge, these organizations have been pivotal in deepening connections between Japan and other countries through community-driven cultural exchanges worldwide. This year, with an impressive number of applicants and nominees, three groups were honored: the Higashi-Kujo Madang Planning Board (Kyoto), the Saga Prefecture International Relations Association (Saga), and the MIYAZAKI C-DANCE CENTER (Miyazaki). The prize ceremony took place on February 19, 2025, in Tokyo, with Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado in attendance and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Akiko Ikuina as a special guest. This report highlights the remarkable work of the award-winning organizations and shares excerpts from the memorable speeches at the ceremony.

Bringing Multicultural Harmony to Life Through Community Festivals

Higashi-Kujo Madang Planning Board

Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture / Representative: KOO MyungDuk, Planning Board Chair / Established: 1993

Since 1993, Higashi-Kujo Madang has been a vibrant annual celebration in the Higashi-Kujo district of Kyoto's Minami Ward, where people from diverse backgrounds, including Koreans living in Japan, come together. Inspired by the Korean word "madang," meaning "gathering space," this festival unites the community by embracing diversity. The festival is held on the site of a former school, and the festival board joins with local schools and community groups to create a dynamic, inclusive celebration, where everyone--regardless of their background, culture, or abilities--can freely express themselves, connect with each other, and discover more of who they are. Today, Higashi-Kujo Madang is a well-known symbol of multicultural harmony and local exchange.

【Rationale for the Prize】
The Higashi-Kujo Madang Festival is a vibrant celebration of diversity, where people from all walks of life come together annually to connect, share their stories, and express themselves. The blending of Japanese taiko drums and traditional Korean percussion has captivated audiences as it demonstrates the power of cultural dialogue. Rooted deeply in the local Higashi-Kujo community, this festival helps to build meaningful connections year after year. The Higashi-Kujo Madang Planning Board has worked tirelessly to provide enriching experiences for the community, and we are proud to award them for their ongoing contributions to global civil society.

At the award ceremony, KOO MyungDuk, chair of the Higashi-Kujo Madang Planning Board, shared his heartfelt gratitude and excitement, saying, "We dedicate the entire year to preparing for this day-long festival. Our success is thanks to the unwavering efforts of our board and event staff, who have spent thirty years striving to cultivate the values of multicultural coexistence, even in the face of challenges. I am truly proud to stand here and honor their hard work." Despite the challenges they faced during the global pandemic, the board remained determined, vowing to connect, gather, and share, as they continued to bring the festival to life through online broadcasts and exhibitions. "Higashi-Kujo Madang's vision is to spark hope for tomorrow by embracing our differences and breaking down barriers that divide us. Thneis may seem like a lofty ideal, but our goal is to create a space where everyone can come together for this special occasion once a year to interact, express themselves, and have fun. This is the community we wish to build--one where everyone belongs. We are encouraged by this recognition and more committed than ever to creating a vibrant, multicultural festival that brings people closer together."

"Free Your Heart of Borders!" Embracing Each Other and Building a Stronger Saga Together

Saga Prefecture International Relations Association

Location: Saga City, Saga Prefecture / Representative: Haruji Kuroiwa, President / Established: 1990

Since the founding of the Saga Prefecture International Relations Association (SPIRA) in 1990, the ethnic makeup of Saga Prefecture has changed dramatically. Back then, only 1,799 non-Japanese lived in the prefecture. Today, that number exceeds 10,000, with one in 100 residents being non-Japanese. In tandem with this, SPIRA has shifted over the years from focusing on international exchange to actively promoting multicultural coexistence. The association has seen a significant rise in activities that support foreign residents, from Japanese-language education to medical interpretation. What's even more exciting is that many of these foreign residents no longer receive support--but instead contribute by supporting others, thereby helping to shape and strengthen the community. By welcoming foreign residents as vital members of society, Saga is becoming a more inclusive and dynamic place for everyone.

【Rationale for the Prize】
Founded in 1990, the Saga Prefecture International Relations Association (SPIRA) has evolved from its roots in international exchange to champion multicultural coexistence, responding to the rapid rise of foreign residents in the region. With a strong track record in areas like medical interpretation and multilingual disaster support, SPIRA has made a lasting impact. In 2019, they established the Center for Multicultural Society in Saga, offering vital consultation services to both foreign and Japanese residents. Through their slogan "Free your heart of borders!," SPIRA not only advances multicultural coexistence in Saga but also sets an example for other regions. We are proud to honor their invaluable contribution with this prize.

President Haruji Kuroiwa shared a personal story about his experience in a foreign hospital, from which he gained true understanding of the power of compassionate care despite language barriers. Reflecting on this, he passionately discussed the impact of the association's medical-support efforts: "What makes our medical-interpreter support program, backed by the Saga Prefectural Government, so unique is that it's available at any healthcare facility in the region--and it's completely free. With 23 languages covered (also in our phone-interpretation services), we provide vital assistance. About 40 percent of our 47 interpreters are foreign residents themselves, allowing them to connect and empathize with foreign patients in a way that truly makes a difference. During disasters like typhoons or heavy rain, we swiftly translate key information into nine languages, sharing it on our website and social media platform to keep foreign residents informed. I firmly believe that breaking down the borders within our hearts is simpler than we think. Remaining true to our slogan 'Free your heart of borders!,' we're working together with foreign residents to build a Saga where everyone--regardless of national origin--can live, learn, work, and dream in safety and harmony." His impassioned speech resonated deeply with the audience as it demonstrated the power of unity and support.

Revolutionizing the Future Through Dance: Miyazaki as the World's Dance Hub

MIYAZAKI C-DANCE CENTER

Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture / Representative: Souhei Nobe, Executive Director / Established: 2008

Namstrops (the word "sportsman" spelled backward) is a dynamic dance company born in 2006 in Miyazaki University's Dance Studies Laboratory and the operator of the MIYAZAKI C-DANCE CENTER. Their bold philosophy, which is "creating new value by thinking upside down," fuels their innovative performances and unique dances, both locally and internationally. Bringing international artists to Miyazaki, they've created "The Sky is Vast! International Dance Festival in Miyazaki," which immerses the community in world-class contemporary dance. With this vibrant festival, they've pioneered a new regional model for international dance, filling the entire region with energy and creativity.

【Rationale for the Prize】
MIYAZAKI C-DANCE CENTER has become a dynamic hub in Miyazaki, hosting international dance camps and festivals that bring local residents and global artists together. Leveraging the expertise of certified educators, the center has made a significant impact on physical-expression education in schools. Its innovative programs, loved by both children and teachers, have crossed borders. In 2019, it opened the TOUMEI-TAIIKUKAN Kirakira/International Children and Youth theater of Miyazaki (CandY Theater), a unique space for nursery children that blends play and performance. Despite challenges like the pandemic, the center has continued to shine with its creative, forward-thinking approach--successfully merging culture, education, and international exchange. We are excited to honor their outstanding global citizen contributions with this prize.

With immense joy, Souhei Nobe, the third executive director since the company's founding, shared his thoughts: "First, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the past sixteen years as we've offered creative dance with artists from Japan and around the world, including local children. We are deeply inspired by Japan's education system, which nurtures the body through creative dance, and have made it our mission to share this inspiration with the world through our performances and, in return, bring the world's reactions of awe back to Japan. This is what Namstrops is all about--thinking upside down. This passion fueled our journey into starting our own venture and driving international cultural exchange." Nobe also unveiled his exciting next step: Using the prize to invite international guests for the 2025 International Dance Festival in Miyazaki. On stage, he boldly declared his dream of making Miyazaki the world's creative-dance hub, concluding his speech with the words, "The day when children and young people from around the world flock to Miyazaki to co-create dance across borders may be closer than we think!"

【Conclusion】
At the prize ceremony, Taro Tamura, Representative Director of the Institute for Human Diversity and representative of the selection committee, reflected on his thirty years of dedication, starting with his work at the Multicultural Center Osaka (formerly the Foreigners' Earthquake Information Center), which won the prize in 1995. He said, "In these turbulent times, international-exchange activities are more vital than ever. With challenges like the pandemic and the rising number of foreign residents in Japan, organizations that have been in the forefront of adapting and driving international exchange can now use this prize as a launchpad for continued success, becoming models for other regions and making a significant, positive impact on society." His inspiring words set the stage for a dynamic ceremony, filled with anticipation for the future and the shared excitement of the prize winners.

Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship
https://www.jpf.go.jp/j/about/citizen/