Monday, April 6, 2009

The Prime Minister Receives a Courtesy Call from Winners of Academy Awards

Prime Minister Taro Aso received a courtesy call from Mr. Yojiro Takita, director of "Departures" which won the Best Foreign Language Film at the 81st Annual Academy Awards, and Mr. Kunio Kato, director of "La Maison en Petits Cubes" which won the Best Short Film (Animated) at the same awards.

Prime Minister Aso received reports of the awards-winning from Mr. Takita and Mr. Kato, and extended his congratulations, saying, "The winning of Academy Awards was another piece of uplifting news." The Prime Minister also praised their winning of prizes when he said, "It must have greatly inspired younger generations to have dreams, and the motivation to take on challenges themselves." Then, the Prime Minister actually took each Oscar statue in his hands and enjoyed conversation with the directors.