A commemorative ceremony was held on the 15th, ahead of the broadcast anniversary on the 22nd of this month, and the Broadcast Culture Award was presented to six people, including actor Masao Kusakari.

Broadcasting Anniversary is a day to commemorate the start of radio broadcasting in Japan on March 22, 1925, 99 years ago.



A ceremony was held at NHK Hall in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo with invited guests for the first time in five years, and at the beginning NHK Chairman Inaba said, ``For the next 100 years, NHK will continue to provide fair and impartial information, rich and good programs and content.'' I sincerely hope that by delivering this, we will continue to be useful to our viewers and contribute to the development of democracy."



Next, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Nishida, who attended as guests, Chairman Furuya of the House of Representatives Committee on General Affairs, Chairman Niizuma of the House of Councilors General Affairs Committee, and Chairman Endo of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Federation gave congratulatory speeches.



Afterwards, the Broadcasting Culture Award was presented to six people who have contributed to the development of the broadcasting business and the improvement of broadcasting culture.



This year's award winners are

▽Hiroshi Ikeya (80), visiting researcher at Fujisan Science Research Institute, Yamanashi Prefecture

▽Etsuko Egawa (70), special makeup supervisor

▽Mr. Tomakiyo Kabira (96), former chairman of Okinawa Broadcasting Corporation

▽Actor Masao Kusakari (71)

▽Poet Shuntaro Tanikawa (92)

▽This is Tomio Yuki (78), a folklore researcher.



Each of these people was presented with a certificate of commendation and a commemorative bronze statue.

Mr. Kusakari, who received the award, said, ``I couldn't be happier as an actor to have continued to use this product since my appearance in the historical drama ``Kaze to Kumo to Niji to'' about 50 years ago.Given my personality, I enjoy acting.'' I'm not that type of person, but I want to enjoy it to the fullest from now on.''

Yuki says, ``I'm 78 years old, but as long as I still have the strength, I want to see the farming, mountain, and fishing villages of Tohoku.The materials for thinking about the future of society are small Japanese villages and the people who lived there.'' I think it's in everyone's hearts, so I want them to reconsider it and connect it to the next thing."