On the evening of June 1, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the Second Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize presentation ceremony and commemorative banquet in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Your Excellencies the leaders attending the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V), ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for coming to the Second Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize presentation ceremony today.
I would like to sincerely congratulate Dr. Piot, Dr. Coutinho, and their families.
Health is a challenge shared by the international community. It is also an area in which Japan can make unique contributions in light of its experiences. This prize indeed aims to catalyze outstanding medical research and medical services which pursue the noble goal of 'health for all' internationally, by placing the focus on Africa.
Recently, I announced Japan's Strategy on Global Health Diplomacy, which identifies health as a key issue for Japanese diplomacy. At this time, ahead of the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), efforts are underway to formulate a post-MDG framework. It is my hope that the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize will lend momentum to the formulation of this post-MDG framework.
Dr. Piot and Dr. Coutinho boldly stood up against fear and prejudice, and for many years continued to carry out research and provide services related to infectious diseases in Africa. Furthermore, their achievements have been incorporated into international policies and have had global reach.
As such, both laureates embody the philosophy of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize and the spirit of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi and are indeed worthy of the prize.
The home prefecture of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, Fukushima, suffered catastrophic damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake two years ago in March. In the aftermath, Japan received both material and moral support from the people of Africa. I hope that through this prize named after Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, whose strong desire to save the African people from yellow fever took him to Africa where he died for his research, Japan can give back to the people of Africa. In addition, I sincerely hope that this prize, which honors local hero Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, will offer even a slight encouragement to the people in Fukushima stricken by the disaster.
I would like to close my remarks by once again expressing my heartfelt congratulations and respect to the accomplishments of Dr. Piot and Dr. Coutinho."