Ibaraki Prize for the Advancement of Internationalization
In the interest of promoting internationalization in the prefecture, Ibaraki awards the Ibaraki Prize for the Advancement of Internationalization to individuals and organizations that have achieved notable success in areas such as international exchange, international cooperation, and multicultural harmony.
From when the prize was established in 1986 to 2005, it has been conferred on 286 individuals and 156 organizations.
2006 Prize Recipients
Individual category: 3 recipients (listed in no particular order)
| Recipient |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Sureerat JINTA |
20 |
For many years of service as an interpreter in public agencies, and significant contribution to the area's multicultural harmony by encouraging foreign residents to get more involved in their community. |
| Mitsuhō UNNO |
16 |
For contributing to the internationalization of Ibaraki by introducing traditional Japanese flower arranging (ikebana) to foreigners through the International Salon put on by the Ibaraki International Association Tsukuba Office, encouraging foreign residents to get more involved in their community, et cetera. |
| Sōkō ŌNO |
16 |
For contributing to the name recognition of, and international exchange in, Ibaraki Prefecture, by both introducing traditional Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) to foreigners through the International Salon put on by the Ibaraki International Association Tsukuba Office, and actively teaching tea ceremony abroad as well. |
Group category: 4 recipients (listed in no particular order)
| Recipient |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Kitaibaraki International Friendship Association |
13 |
For promoting the international education of young people through the Youth Friendship Ambassador Program, working to cultivate internationally-minded human resources, and helping to invigorate the community through interaction with sister Wairoa District in New Zealand. |
| Ami International Exchange Association |
9 |
For actively engaging in cultural exchange with sister city Superior in the United States, working with city residents to promote agricultural technology exchange, and otherwise serving as a model municipal internationalization organization. |
| Tokai Japanese Language Teaching |
13 |
For many years of working to improve the Japanese ability of foreign residents by providing Japanese classes, and cooperating with schools and government organizations to contribute to the Japanese education of children of foreign parents. |
| Keyaki Club (Tsukuba Reading Volunteers) |
13 |
For helping to improve the Japanese ability of foreign residents and the level of Japanese education in the prefecture though the Japanese classes put on by the Ibaraki International Association Tsukuba Office. |
Special prize for groups: 1 recipient
| Recipient |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Japanese class committee, Tsuchiura UNESCO Association |
10 |
Since receiving this prize for the first time in 1987, this group has responded agilely to the needs of the community and contributed to improving the Japanese ability of foreign residents by instituting Japanese classes. |
2005 Prize Recipients
Individual category: 3 recipients (listed in no particular order)
| Recipient |
Location |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Hiroji HIRAI |
Hitachinaka‑shi |
15 |
Representing the Ibaraki Association to Build Schools in Nepal, Mr. Hirai built one elementary school and four high schools in Nepal. Also, as president of the Hitachinaka UNESCO Association, he contributed to heightening Ibaraki citizens' awareness of the activities in Nepal, and international cooperation activities in general. |
| Nova Deboma HANAWA |
Shimotsuma‑shi |
12 |
In addition to serving as an interpreter at the city hall, police station, etc., Ms. Hanawa also contributed to the advancement of multicultural harmony in her area by improving participation in activities of the Foreign Children's Club. |
| Ye SAI |
Mito‑shi |
3 |
Contributed, as an Ibaraki Goodwill Student Ambassador, to the internationalization of Ibaraki by participating in international education through the IIA's World Caravan program, and actively helping in various international exchange events. |
Group category: 1 recipient
| Recipient |
Location |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Sekirei Club (Mito volunteer Japanese teachers for children; representative Yoshimi MOGI) |
Mito‑shi |
7 |
Members of the Sekirei Club visited schools with foreign students and gave volunteer Japanese lessons. They also founded the Ibaraki Volunteers for Children Network, and helped improve the level of Japanese teaching groups in Ibaraki through information exchange and training seminars. |
Special prize for groups: 2 recipients (listed in no particular order)
| Recipient |
Location |
Years of activity |
Reason for award |
| Moriya International Friendship Association (President: Issei OGAWA) |
Moriya‑shi |
17 |
Since receiving this prize for the first time in 1991, MIFA has worked to improve the Japanese level of foreign residents through Japanese classes, and also served as an exemplary municipal internationalization organization through the hosting of a trainee from Laos and other international cooperation activities. |
| Rotary International Chapter 2820 (Governor: Takao HAGIWARA) |
Chikusei‑shi |
1 |
Rotary International Chapter 2820 is active in furthering Japanese language education, an indispensible part of making foreign residents' lives safer and easier. They have provided a responsive ear for problems and needs of volunteer Japanese teaching groups all over the prefecture, as well as assistance in procuring teaching materials. |
