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Award Ceremony 2019

Award Ceremony 2019

December 9, 2019


The Award Ceremony for the 2019 (27th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on November 7th, 2019.

Some 370 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

Dr. OIKE Kazuo as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro as Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by a representative of the host, and introduced the members of their respective committees.

The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Dr. IWATSUKI Kunio, 2016 prizewinner, Ms. Karen Kelly, Consul General U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan (on behalf of the U.S. Embassy's Charge d' Affaires ad interim), Mr. ABE Isao, Director, Kinki Regional Agricultural Administration Office (on behalf of Minister, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Mr. KAWATA Hiroki, Deputy Director, Kinki Regional Development Bureau (on behalf of Minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Mr. TANAKA Seigo, Osaka Prefecture Deputy Governor (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Mr. NOMURA Toshiaki, Director, Public Works Bureau, City of Osaka (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City).

After that, Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. MITARAI Fujio delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. OIKE Kazuo as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process.

Then, Prof. Stuart L. Pimm, the 2019 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform. Chairperson, Dr. OIKE outlined the reasons for the Award. Prof. Pimm was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize by Expo'90 Foundation Chairperson Mr. MITARAI Fujio and a medallion by Expo'90 Foundation President, Mr. SUMI Kazuo.

On behalf of the guests, master of ceremony read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister ABE Shinzo. And, Consul General U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan read a congratulatory message from the U.S. Embassy's Charge d' Affaires ad interim.

Then introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. Prof. Pimm delivered the prizewinner's address.

The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a violinist, Ms. KAWAKUBO Tamaki and COSMOS ensemble 2019.

2019 The International Cosmos Prize Report_2.33MB.pdf

Commemorative Lectures

The 2019 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Auditorium, Osaka Shigakukaikan (Miyakojima-ku, Osaka) on November 10, and at Yasuda Auditorium, Tokyo University (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) on November 13.

At Osaka, Prof. Pimm delivered a commemorative lecture after the introduction by Dr. Monte Cassim. Then, Prof. Pimm and Dr. MIYASHITA Tadashi presented a story in a dialogue.

At Tokyo, Prof. Pimm gave a commemorative lecture after the introduction by Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro. After the lecture, there were active Q&A sessions.

2019 International Cosmos Prize_Commemorative Lecture.pdf

Osaka Lecture

Date Sunday, November 10
Place Auditorium, Osaka Shigakukaikan (Miyakojima-ku, Osaka)
Attendance 110
Program ・Introduction 
Dr. Monte Cassim (Member, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts/ President, Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation, Shizenkan University)

・Commemorative Lecture
Prof. Stuart L. Pimm

・Story in dialogue
Prof. Stuart L. Pimm
Dr. MIYASHITA Tadashi (Professor, The University of Tokyo)

・Q&A sessions
Supporters Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of the Environment
Embassy of the United States of America in Japan
The Ecological Society of Japan

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Tokyo Lecture

Date Wednesday, November 13
Place Yasuda Auditrium, The University of Tokyo (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
Attendance 150
Program ・Introduction 
Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro (Chairperson, International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts / Director General, National Museum of Nature and Science)

・Commemorative Lecture
Prof. Stuart L. Pimm

・Q&A sessions 
Prof. Stuart L. Pimm
Dr. HAYASHI Yoshihiro
Co-host Tokyo Metroporitan Board of Education
Supporter Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Ministry of the Environment
Embassy of the United States of America in Japan
The Ecological Society of Japan

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