Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Ceremony to Present the Award of Japan for Crafting

Prime Minister Taro Aso attended the ceremony to present the Award of Japan for Crafting at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Award of Japan for Crafting was established in 2005 with the purpose of steadily passing on crafting skills -- and thereby ensuring their further development -- which have supported the development of Japan's industry and culture and greatly contributed to the realization of prosperity in people's lives. The award ceremony is held every two years, and this is the third such occasion.

The award is presented to human resources from various generations with particularly outstanding craftsmanship, such as the middle-aged who are playing a central role in manufacturing and production, the experienced who have sustained traditional and cultural crafting skills, and the young who are to carry on the next generation. The award is presented not only to individuals but also to groups, given that teamwork is one of Japan's strengths.

Fifty individuals and one group were awarded this time for 20 projects, including the Robot Research Club of Chuo Kogyo High School in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, the champion of the 20th All Japan Robot-sumo Tournament.

In the address, Prime Minister Aso said, "I myself believe that what sustains Japan's craftsmanship fundamentally are the sincere attitude of people toward labor, who work up a sweat, and the organizational power and will to produce results as a team and with a sense of unity.

"I am convinced that if we continue to take advantage of this strength, craftsmanship will sustain the crucial part of the Japanese economy and a bright future will open, even in the face of a financial and economic crisis that is said to occur only once a century."