Mika Yamamoto Memorial Foundation

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Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award

The award will be presented to the individual who works in international journalism with such spirit within.

Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award

The Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award is established in honor of Ms. Mika Yamamoto who was killed by gunfire (at age 45) on August 20, 2012, in Aleppo, Syria, during reporting. The award will be presented to the person who exemplifies her same spirit as a journalist and contributes in presenting honest and bold international reporting.

The spirit of Ms. Mika Yamamoto can be explained as the toughness to reveal global injustice or absurdities and the reality, not through hearsay, but through understanding by his or her own eyes and ears. Also it is a humanistic perspective of reporting globally with deep empathy for the people who live in danger in the countries and areas where such injustice or absurdity has occurred.

The award will be presented to the individual who works in international journalism with such spirit within.

The international report will include the events in Japan that are considered globally significant historically, such as the massive earthquake in Tohoku, Japan. The award will have three categories: movie, picture, and article. The person who is considered the most honorable international reporter throughout the year for each category will be awarded.

Nominated works will be selected by the board of directors and the council of the Mika Yamamoto Memorial Foundation. The awarded work will be chosen by the selection committee.

Outline of Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award

Regulations Award
ceremony		 May, 2025
The award ceremony will be held on the birthday of Mika Yamamoto every year.
Entries Entries will be made by applications and recommendations (including self-recommendation) from any individual or organization.
Application
Period		 The journalists (and its activities) who presented articles, photos, videos or other works during the period from 2024/01/01 to 2025/02/28 may apply. Application deadline is 2025/03/05.
Requirements
for
participants
and works
  • Journalists of any nationality or place of living and the works published in any country or region are applicable.
    Basically, the award is granted to freelancers or individuals who belong to independent media that don't have their own media. However, works of significance and full of humanity shall be included even the applicant belongs to major media organizations.
  • Basically, award-winner (or the work) should be "newcomers".

For details refer to
"Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award" Regulations (PDF)
Application
Method		 Application
Sheet		 Fill in the following "Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award Application Sheet" and send together with the work.
"Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award" Application Sheet (MS Word)
"Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award" Application Sheet (PDF)
Receiver's
address		 Entry to "Mika Yamamoto International Journalist Award",
Mika Yamamoto Memorial Foundation
3-36-14 Ogikubo, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 167-0051, Japan
Notes
  • For videos, photos or voice recording works, send them copied on DVD or CD. For articles or photos on newspapers or magazines, send paper copy or DVD copy in PDF. Make notes on your career on news gathering activities and send it together with the work via post, courier, etc. Sending via email is not acceptable.


Entry in other languages:
  • Send together with translation in Japanese or English in case of videos, voice recordings or publications.
  • In case or articles or photos send the entry with translation in Japanese or English for text, caption and title
Selection
Committee		 Selection Committee Members (Listed in alphabetical order)
  • Kaori Kawai / Nonfiction Writer
  • Takashi Okamura / Editor, Journalist, Explorers
  • Fumihiko Takayama / Nonfiction Writer
  • Toshihiro Yoshida / Journalist
Contact For details, please contact the Mika Yamamoto Memorial Foundation Office.
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