Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc. (Nikkei) established the Nikkei Asia Prizes in commemoration of the company's 120th anniversary in 1996. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievements that improve the quality of life in Asia and contribute to regional stability.
Widjojo Nitisastro, economic adviser to the government of the Republic of Indonesia; Yuan Longping, director general of the Human Hybrid Rice Research Center of China; and Dara Kanlaya, deputy director of the Department of Literature and Mass Culture in the Laotian Ministry of Information and Culture, were selected as the first winners of the Nikkei Asia Prizes. At the award ceremony in Tokyo on May 15, each winner received a certificate of commendation and 3 million yen (approximately 25,000 US dollars).
The prizes are awarded to individuals or groups selected for achievement in three categories: regional growth, technological innovation and culture.
- This year's winners are
- Widjojo Nitisastro: Firm policies pave the way to growth
- Yuan Longping: Researcher strains to produce better rice
- Dara Kanlaya: Curator leafs through Laotian history
Nomination and selection process
Candidates for Nikkei's Asia Prizes are nominated by scholars, business executives and journalists in Japan and abroad. The nominees then are evaluated by a special committee, one for each category. Each committee recommends a winner, who then is voted upon by members of all three committees sitting together. No individuals or groups may nominate themselves.
Within the three categories, evalutations are made of the candidates' contributions to the quality of life and to culture in Asia and to the global significance of those contributions.
Eligilility for nomination is restricted to people and organizations working in Asia. Japanese nationals are not eligible.
For further information, please contact Masatami Kasagi, Manager, International Programs, Nikkei President's Office by E-mail (kasagi@tokyo.nikkei.co.jp) or telephone (81-3-5255-2032)
