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Japan's Foreign Minister Creates Foreign Manga Award

In a press conference following a meeting of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe's cabinet on Tuesday morning, Japanese Foreign Minister Tarō Asō announced the creation of an "International Manga Award" for manga artists and creators from outside Japan. "We want to make this award the 'Nobel Prize' of Manga," said Asō, who also mentioned that one purpose of the award is to "increase the popularity of Japanese Pop Culture and subcultures."

Tarō Asō, who is known for being an outspoken fan of manga himself, will lead a group charged with the task of establishing the award. Funding for the award will come from the Japan Foundation, Japan's endowment to support international relations.

Nominations for the award will come from the public and recommendations submitted by both Japanese and international publishing companies. On June 22, famous manga writers Michiko Satōnaka (Tenjō no Niji), Takashi Yanase (Anpanman) and Tetsuya Chiba (Ashita no Joe) will join a group of former chief editors from some of Japan's largest manga magazines to select the winner. The winner of the award will be honored in a ceremony on July 2 in Tokyo.

Source: Mainichi Shinbun