Received the 16th Goto Shinpei Award - Japan Philharmonic Orchestra's "Music for Disaster Areas" activities highly praised

The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been awarded the 16th Goto Shinpei Award. The award recognizes the orchestra's ongoing "Music for Disaster Areas" activities in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, which "are in line with Goto Shinpei's spirit of service and high aspirations for human resource development."

In its "Music for Disaster Areas" activities, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been asking itself, "What can an orchestra do?" and working steadily like a sparkler, with the desire to be close to the people in the disaster-stricken areas. All members of the orchestra are sincerely grateful that they have been able to shine a light on us in this way. We hope to share this joy with everyone who supports our activities and everyone who cooperated and participated on site.
Building on this award, the Japan Philharmonic will continue its efforts in the coastal areas of the Tohoku region. Furthermore, through the "Tohoku Dream Project," the orchestra hopes to support the future of children and the region by widely introducing the musical and cultural activities undertaken by children in local communities and schools throughout the Tohoku region.
We hope for your continued understanding and cooperation in the Japan Philharmonic's social contribution efforts.

◇About the Goto Shinpei Award (from the award press release) 　
16th (2022) Goto Shinpei Award Winners Announced

【Effect】
During the process of Japan's modernization, Goto Shinpei conceived large-scale policies on a time and space scale that looked ahead a hundred years, and contributed to the development of the region and the nation while nurturing people. This award selects and honors once a year a person, both in Japan and abroad, who, like Goto Shinpei, has contemplated the very nature of civilization and achieved achievements that have given it a new direction.

【Reason for Winning】
In the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in 2011, various forms of medical and welfare support have been extended from all over the country in an effort to rebuild. In response to this, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been working on the "Music for the Disaster Areas" project since immediately after the disaster, aiming to support "spiritual recovery," and has continued to perform in the affected areas. In particular, the exchanges between orchestra members and local youth have fostered "hope for the future" among the younger generation. These performances, which have been held more than 300 times in 11 years and will continue into the future, are in line with Goto Shinpei's spirit of service and high aspirations for human resource development, and we therefore present this award to them.

<Previous recipients>
■1th (2007)
<Book Prize>　李登輝 (Former President of Taiwan)
■2th (2008)
<Book Prize>　Shunichi Suzuki (former Governor of Tokyo)
Encouragement Award　Rosanne Hagerty (Founder and Chairman of Common Ground Community, USA)
■3th (2009)
<Book Prize>　緒方貞子 Mr. (JICA Chairman)
■4th (2010)
<Book Prize>　Tadao Ando (Architect, Distinguished Professor at the University of Tokyo)
■5th (2011)
<Book Prize>　Carol Biebel (Founder and Director of the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, USA)
■6th (2012)
<Book Prize>　細川護煕 (Former Prime Minister)
■7th (2013)
<Book Prize>　園田天光光 (Former member of the House of Representatives, Representative of the NPO World Peace Ambassador Doll House Creation Association)
■8th (2014)
<Book Prize>　石牟礼道子 (poet, writer)
■9th (2015)
<Book Prize>　Akira Miyawaki (Plant Ecologist, Professor Emeritus, Yokohama National University/Director of the International Center for Ecology)
■10th (2016)
<Book Prize>　Takeshi Fukuzawa (Honorary Advisor, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.)
■11th (2017)
<Book Prize>　Yasuhiro Yamamoto (Director of Tokyo Hikifune Hospital, Professor Emeritus of Nippon Medical School)
■12th (2018)
<Book Prize>　Yoshiomi Tamai (Founder and Chairman of the Ashinaga Foundation)
■13th (2019)
<Book Prize>　Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador)
■14th (2020)
<Book Prize>　宇梶静江 (Antique fabric artist and poet)
■15th (2021)
<Book Prize>　Yasuo Hounami (Doctor, dedicated to local medical care)

*Titles at the time of award