The Nikkei Asia Prizes are awarded annually to individuals or groups selected for achievement in three categories: regional growth, technological innovation and culture.
This year's winners are Lee Hun-jai, former minister of finance and economy in South Korea, for regional growth; Yang Huanming, professor and director at Beijing Genomics Institute, for science, technology and innovation; and Urvashi Butalia, author and co-founder of Kali for Women, for culture.
- This year's winners are
- Lee Hun-jai
- Yang Huanming
- Urvashi Butalia
Prizewinners push for change
Three special individuals
BY GAISHI HIRAIWA
Chief judge
I am delighted to say that the 8th Nikkei Asia Prizes are being awarded to three outstanding individuals.
Mr. Lee Hun-jai engineered financial reform that was instrumental in pulling South Korea out of a serious economic crisis that began in 1997. As chairman of the country's Financial Supervisory Commission, he demonstrated courageous leadership, implementing necessary change in the face of strong opposition.
Dr. Yang Huanming led a team in his native China that became the first to map the entire genomic structure of indica rice. This achievement should pave the way for the creation of high-yielding rice strains to help feed Asia's growing population.
Ms. Urvashi Butalia works internationally to advance the status of women in developing countries. An accomplished author known for her moving book "The Other Side of Silence," she is also co-founder of Kali for Women, the first publisher in India to focus on women's issues.
