Deadline for nominations: Wednesday, 14th October 2009 (deadline extended) 5.00pm
Nominations should be made by post to Heidi Potter at the Japan Society offices or by email to heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk

The Japan Society Awards are presented each year to mark significant work in the field of UK Japan relations which has not otherwise been recognized. All members are encouraged to nominate those who they feel are deserving of such an Award, which will be presented at the Annual Dinner on 25th January 2010.

Nominations should be made by post to Heidi Potter at the Japan Society offices or by email to heidi.potter@japansociety.org.uk

Please ensure that you provide the following information when nominating:

• The name and address of the person you are nominating
• Your name, address and telephone number or email address
• The name of someone who will support this nomination
• A statement describing why you are nominating this person

Members can make nominations at any time, but for consideration for a 2009 Award, please submit your nomination by Wednesday, 14th October 2009 (deadline extended). Please do not tell the nominee that you have put his or her name forward for an Award.

Awards are usually granted each year to two recipients, with one being British and the other Japanese. However, there is no hard and fast rule on this; it depends on the circumstances in a particular year. The nominee does not need to be a member of the Society.

Criteria for the Japan Society Awards

• There has been no significant prior recognition (previous award, honour or prize) for the relevant work, though exceptions may be made on the advice of the Awards committee. The work for which the Award is being made must have been conducted in the UK or related directly to a UK organization.
• A salary is not normally drawn for the work in question. However, where the contribution to be recognized has involved significant work, time and effort over and above the normal call of duty, the issue of salaried employment should not be a disqualifying factor.
• Long service of quality is important, although this should not be the over-riding criterion; outstanding effort over a short period may be considered. * The work to be recognised is more than a pursuit, task or hobby well done. Something “extra” has been put in.
• Nominees should not be a member of the Council of the Society, a politician, a government official or a business leader.
• The Awards cannot be posthumous.

Japan Society Awards for 2008 were presented at the annual dinner (held in January 2009) to Professor Lesley Millar and Mrs Momoko Williams. Lesley Millar has promoted exchange between Japanese and British textile artists both through exhibitions she has curated and in consistent efforts to create effective international networks. Through her wide ranging community activities, Momoko Williams has worked not only to promote Japan UK links, but also to enhance the welfare of Japanese residents in the UK.

For a full list of recent recipients, please visit the Japan Society website.