Japanese Animation Master Hayao Miyazaki Receives Philippines' Magsaysay Award

Japanese animation master Hayao Miyazaki (photo, 83) has been selected as the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, known as the "Nobel Prize of Asia."

According to reports from NHK and Kyodo News on the 31st, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) announced this year’s recipients, selecting four individuals including Director Miyazaki and one organization.

The foundation stated the reason for selecting Director Miyazaki as a recipient was that "his works have not only achieved commercial success but also express a deep understanding of humanity, prompting viewers to reflect and show compassion," and that "he helps children understand issues such as environmental protection, peace, and women’s rights through art."

Director Miyazaki is a giant in the animation world, having produced numerous masterpieces such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997), Spirited Away (2001), Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), and Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (2008).

His latest work, How Do You Live?, released last year, also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in the United States.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in honor of Ramon Magsaysay, the Philippine president who died in a plane crash in 1957. Past recipients include Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet.

Among Koreans, democracy activist Jang Jun-ha and Kim Jong-gi, founder of the Blue Tree Youth Group, have received this award. This year’s award ceremony will be held in Manila, Philippines, in November.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.