Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended the Ceremony of Awarding the Sixth MIDORI Prize held at the Parliamentary Museum in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The Ceremony of Awarding the MIDORI Prize is held for further promoting people's interest and understanding on the Greenery Day, and to develop people's knowledge of "MIDORI (greenery)."

The Prime Minister said in his address, "Our country is blessed with a rich natural environment for all four seasons. People have been preserving and growing greenery, while at the same time developing superb culture in the country's long history. Greenery surrounding us serves an indispensable role in people's lives in terms of the living environment and national land conservation.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit, participated in by 180 countries throughout the world and reaching numerous international agreements on environment and development. To preserve and foster the natural environment of lush greenery is the common issue for humankind and is important for the effort against global warming and for ensuring biodiversity.
Plants and forests have great potential also in terms of renewable energy. We would like to join hands beyond national borders in order to hand down the precious greenery to the next generation.
I am informed that nature observation program will be held in the Fukiage Gardens of the Imperial Palace on the Greenery Day and the Children's Day this year as well, as an event for people to experience the beautiful natural environment of the Imperial Palace and to promote people's understanding of nature. I express my hope that this Ceremony of Awarding the MIDORI Prize encourages many people to strengthen their understanding of nature and that efforts to preserve and grow greenery will be developed towards the future."

Later, the Prime Minister presented the MIDORI Academic Prize and the Prime Minister's Commendations for Contributors to the National Greening Campaign.