Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan’s Foreign Ministry has announced the 19th Japan International MANGA Award and is accepting entries by non-Japanese MANGA creators from April 17 to June 30 this year.

The Foreign Ministry established the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007, with the aim of promoting manga culture and international cultural exchanges through manga by presenting awards to overseas artists for their manga works. The award has been presented every year since 2007.

The Gold Award will be given to the best work and there will be Silver Awards to three other excellent entries. The winners will be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend the award ceremony. During their stay in Japan, they will also have opportunities to exchange ideas with Japanese MANGA creators and to visit publishing companies.

Those interested in taking part in the competition can find the application form on the Foreign Ministry’s website.

In 2024, there were 716 entries, a record high, from 95 countries and regions, with the most coming from East Asia (185 entries) and Latin America (150 entries).

The members of Award’s Executive Committee include Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi, Japan Foundation President KUROSAWA Shinya and Shogakukan Managing Director MARUSAWA Shigeru.

Members of the Selection Committee include, Chairperson and manga artist SATONAKA Machiko, and two former manga magazine editors, KISHIMOTO Kenji and HORI Yasuki.