On March 12, the 18th Japan International MANGA Award Ceremony was held at the Iikura Guest House, with State Minister for Foreign Affairs FUJII Hisayuki attending.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan launched the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 to honor manga artists, who have contributed to the promotion of manga overseas and to promote international cultural exchange through manga. Out of a record 716 entries from 95 countries and regions, both numbers being the highest, 15 works were selected this year, including one Gold Award winner (Brazil) and three Silver Award winners (Thailand, Taiwan and Chile).

At the ceremony, State Minister FUJII presented certificates of commendation to the creators of the Gold Award and Silver Award winning works, who were invited to Japan by The Japan Foundation, and Ms. SATONAKA Machiko, chairperson of the selection committee, presented trophies to each of them.

In his remarks, State Minister FUJII congratulated and gave a big cheer to each of the winners and stated that Japan has a responsibility to continue to promote the appeal of manga and to protect and develop its outstanding cultural value, and that he looks forward to the award-winning works playing a new role in connecting hearts and minds of people around the world, transcending borders, languages, and ethnicities. Ms. SATONAKA, in her general comments, expressed her hope that the winners will continue to enrich the hearts of people around the world by painting works that reach many people.

The Gold Award winner, Mr. Hiro Kawahara from Brazil, stated that stories can connect people's hearts together anywhere in the world, and hoped his work will inspire other creators. The Silver Award winners, Mr. Preecha Jai-ordthon from Thailand, Ms. Zuo Hsuan from Taiwan, and Mr. Brandon Arias from Chile, expressed their joy at receiving the award.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Japan International MANGA Award Executive Committee and the selection committee, as well as Members of the Diet, manga artists, editors including the Association of Comic Publishers which helped with the first screening.