Japan PR Awards "Person of the Year" and "Citizen of the Year" Awards Ceremony

The Public Relations Society of Japan (PRSJ) held the award ceremony for the 2013 Japan PR Awards "Person of the Year" and "Citizen of the Year" at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Roppongi on January 21. At the ceremony, PRSJ Chairman Ken Mori presented trophies to the winners.

The Person of the Year award went to Mami Sato, a women's long jump athlete who has competed in three consecutive Paralympic Games. At the IOC Session last September, as a presenter for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee, she shared how sports helped her overcome suffering and introduced support activities by athletes from Japan and abroad to encourage children in disaster-affected areas, as someone from such a region herself. Her presentation deeply moved the global audience.

Chairman Mori presenting the trophy to Sato

 

The Citizen of the Year award is presented to "individuals or groups who have practiced diligent and innovative public relations activities, contributing widely to the development of society and their local communities." The NPO Bookstore Grand Prize Executive Committee, which operates the Bookstore Grand Prize celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013, was selected. It was recognized for gaining broad public support through its innovative approach to publishing PR, where booksellers promote books they find "interesting to read" and "want to recommend to customers."

Shigeru Hamamoto, Chairman of the Bookstore Award Executive Committee (right), and Executive Committee Member Takato (center)

 

Sato stated, "I practiced breaking out of my shell to deliver presentations ahead of the IOC Session, pouring my heart into conveying the power of sports, the power of the Paralympics, and my feelings about reconstruction. I will continue to be mindful of communicating and aspire to be a bridge connecting people." Sawako Takagashira, Executive Committee Member of the Bookstore Award Executive Committee, stated, "It started as a volunteer effort, but thanks to everyone's support, the award's operations have become stable. Even if a book isn't a bestseller, we hope people will visit bookstores to find that one special book that matters to them."