The Award Ceremony for the 2016(24th) International Cosmos Prize was held at Izumi Hall, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, on November 8th, 2016.

Some 420 participants attended the event, including distinguished guests from Japan and abroad. At 3:00 p.m., the Ceremony commenced with to the majestic strains of pipe organ music.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee and Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi as 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. Yoshinori Suzuki, Councillor, Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production and Marketing Promotion, Agricultural Production Bureau, Minister`s Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (on behalf of Minister, MAFF), Mr. Yoshiaki Nagino, Deputy Director-General, City and Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (on behalf of Minister, MLIT), Mr. Hiroyuki Takeuchi, Vive Governor, Osaka Prefectural Government（on behalf of Governor, Osaka Prefecture), Masatoshi Ueda, Director General for Public Works Bureau and Concurrently Serves as Director General for Economic Strategy Bureau, City of Osaka（on behalf of Mayor, Osaka City）.

Expo'90 Foundation President Kazuo Sumi delivered an address on behalf of the host organization.

Dr. Tadamitsu Kishimoto as Chairperson of the International Cosmos Prize Committee, described the prizewinner selection process. Then, Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki, the 2016 Cosmos Prizewinner, took the platform. Chairperson Kishimoto outlined the reasons for the Award.

Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki was awarded a commendation, a supplementary prize and a medallion by Expo'90 Foundation President, Mr. Kazuo Sumi.

On behalf of the guests, master of ceremony read a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.Then introductory images of the prizewinner were presented on the screen. Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki delivered the prizewinner's address.

The ceremony concluded with celebratory musical performances by a violinist, Lina Matsuda and The Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra.

The 2016 International Cosmos Prize commemorative lectures were held at Daimaru Shinsaibashi Theater(Chuo-ku, Osaka) on November 14, and at Yasuda Auditorium, The University of Tokyo(Bunkyoku, Tokyo) on November 21.

Prize recipient, Dr. Iwatsuki delivered commemorative lectures themed "Living as an element of biodiversity". At Osaka, Dr. Iwatsuki had a discussion with Mr. Tetsuji Ida and at Tokyo, Dr. Iwatsuki had a discussion with Ms. Hiroko Kuniya and Dr. Dedy Darnaedi.

At both Tokyo and Osaka, there were active Q&A sessions.

Lecture in Osaka Attendance: 200
(72 students and teachers from Miyakojima Technical Senior High School, and 128 participants in general)

Lecture in Tokyo Attendance: 800
(440students and teachers from Tokyo Metropolitan High Schools, and 360 participants in general)

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