In keep with its long tradition of supporting social justice and international development, the tenth Ozaki Gakudo annual award was extended to Inter Press Service Japan, the Japan office of the Rome-based news wire, Inter Press Service, (IPS) the world`s leading source of information from the South and an independent voice for development.

The award recognizes the importance of IPS news in the world and in Japan and represents a landmark in a country where news from the South remains on the backburner in the mainstream media.

Hiroshi Matsumoto, head of the IPS Japan launched in 2003, received the prestigious award at a ceremony held at the Yukio Ozaki Memorial Foundation on March 20, attended by a prestigious audience of lawmakers, government officials and IPS supporters.

Matsumoto has long supported and upheld the importance of international development in the world. He has earned a name as a pioneer in Japan for emphasizing the voice of developing countries through his photography and involvement as an advisor to Japans impressive international assistance programs—the second largest in the world.

In his acceptance speech, Matsumoto pledged to work even harder to bring IPS news to the Japanese public and raise awareness about development issues. He said the award is shared by IPS, represented by Mario Lubetkin, president of IPS, also present at the award ceremony.

Lubetkin outlined the many projects IPS has with other international development agencies and media and invited Japanese organizations with similar themes to work in collaboration with IPS Japan to bring the message of the South to Japan.

Mme. Yukiko Sohma, representing the Ozaki Yukio Foundation and daughter of Ozaki Yukio, one of Japan`s foremost democratic leaders in the twentieth century, is a well-respected figure herself with her work to support disabled children in Cambodia

IPS Japan