#Japan #Tokyo #Ford Foundation #Okita Prize #FASID

The 29th Okita Memorial Prize for International Development Research

In a remarkable announcement, the International Development Organization (FASID) has selected the recipient of the 29th Okita Memorial Prize for outstanding contributions to international development research. This prestigious award aims to encourage research excellence and bring to light significant works that address pressing issues in the field. The winner will be officially announced on December 8, 2025.

About the Awarded Work

The award-winning piece is titled “Liberal Empire America’s Social Power: The Ford Foundation and Post-War International Development Regime Formation”, authored by Toichi Makita and published by Akashi Shoten. This work examines how major private foundations like the Ford Foundation were formed and operated in post-war America, with a focus on their influential roles in international development and the cultivation of soft power during the Cold War era.

The Okita Memorial Prize not only honors the author with a trophy and a 500,000 yen cash prize but also recognizes the publisher with a commemorative trophy. The significance of this award is rooted in the legacy of Saburo Okita, the first chairman of the FASID council and a former foreign minister, established in 1997 to foster research on international development.

Upcoming Ceremony and Lecture

To celebrate this recognition, a ceremony and commemorative lecture titled “The Beginning and End of International Development? The Rise and Fall of the American Empire” will take place on January 16, 2026. This event, commencing at 13:30 and hosted at the Hibiya Library and Museum, will adopt a hybrid format to engage a wider audience, where both in-person and online attendance is available. Media coverage and participation from individuals interested in this research are highly encouraged.

Evaluation of the Winning Research

The selection committee, led by Izumi Ohno, an esteemed professor at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, commended Makita’s book for its thorough exploration of the Ford Foundation’s extensive archival materials and field surveys. The author meticulously outlines the foundation's activities in various Asian countries, including India, Burma (Myanmar), Indonesia, and Japan during the 1950s and 1960s. This research not only serves as a historical record but also reframes private foundations like the Ford Foundation as pivotal players in establishing a liberal international order rather than merely philanthropic entities.

At a time when foreign aid was closely linked to diplomatic strategies, the Ford Foundation played a crucial role in connecting the emerging independent nations of Asia to the liberal world order, fostering networks with local leadership and becoming deeply involved in national development projects.

Call for Nominations for the Next Prize

As the 30th anniversary of the Okita Prize approaches, FASID reaffirms its commitment to promoting research in international development, recognizing the increasing complexity of global challenges. FASID invites the submission of new research and encourages individuals to recommend noteworthy works that address international development issues.

About FASID

Since its establishment in 1990, FASID has dedicated itself to nurturing talent in international development, disseminating knowledge and information, and fostering a society where people around the world can live in peace and prosperity. Currently, FASID administers various initiatives, including government development assistance (ODA), support for business in developing countries, scholarships for doctoral studies, and the distinguished Okita Prize for exceptional research.

For additional information and updates about the Okita Prize and the ongoing initiatives by FASID, please visit the official website at FASID Okita Memorial Prize. This initiative is supported by the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation International Cooperation Foundation.