The Award Ceremony for the 2010 (18th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on October 14th, 2010.

Some 400 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with the majestic strains of pipe organ music. The Vice Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and the Chairperson of the Screening Committee of Experts accompanied by a representative of the host, and introduced the members of their respective committees.

The guests of honor took the platform and were introduced to the audience. They included Mr. Edward K.H. Dong, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, Mr. Kenko Matsuki, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (on behalf of Minister, MAFF); Mr. Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT); Mr. Yasuyuki Ogawa, Deputy Governor, Osaka Prefecture (on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Ms.Setsuko Nonomura, Director General, Recreation and Tourism Bureau, Osaka City (on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City).

Expo'90 Foundation President Yasuhisa Mitsui declared the Ceremony open and Chairperson Takashi Imai delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. Masahiro Kato, as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Screening Committee of Experts, described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. Estella Bergere Leopold, the 2010 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform to a warm round of applause. Chairperson Kato outlined the reasons for the Award.

Dr.Leopold was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize and a medallion by Chairperson Imai and Prize Committee Vice Chairperson,Dr.Tadamitsu Kishimoto. On behalf of the guests, MAFF Parliamentary Secretary Matsuki read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Naoto Kan, and Consul General Dong read a congratulatory message from Mr. John V. Roos, U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

Finally, Dr. Leopold delivered the prizewinner's address. A further round of applause for Dr. Leopold brought the first section of the Ceremony to a close.

In the second, celebratory section of the Ceremony, introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a flutist and an ensemble.

The 2010 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku,Kyoto on October 11,2010 at United Nations University, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo on October 16 , and at Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School, Chiyda-ku, Tokyo, on October 18. Prize recipient Dr. Estella Bergere Leopold delivered commemorative lectures themed"Keeping the Land Alive and Well", which was followed by a symposium(Tokyo), and other events. At Hibiya High School, there was an active Q&A session between Dr. Leopold and high school students who had enthusiastically prepared for the occasion.

Commemorative Lecture in Kyoto attended by 130 people

Commemorative Lecture and Symposium in Tokyo attended by approx.180 people

High School Visit by Prizewinner attended by approx.400 people

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