Call for Nominations for the 30th Okita Memorial Prize in International Development Research

The International Development Organization (FASID) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the 30th Okita Memorial Prize. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding research publications that focus primarily on international development issues. The Okita Prize aims to encourage research in international development and to uncover significant scholarly works that can contribute to the improvement of practices in this crucial field.

About the Okita Memorial Prize

Initiated in 1997 in honor of Saburo Okita, the first chairman of the FASID Board and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Okita Prize seeks to acknowledge remarkable contributions made in the area of international development. Eligible works must have been published in Japanese between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, and should address themes related to international development, including, but not limited to, development assistance.

The criteria for eligible works are as follows:
1. Scope: Works focused on international development issues, excluding translations, essays, autobiographies, travelogues, and project reports.
2. Authorship: The author’s name must be clearly indicated if the work is produced by individuals or organizations.
3. Publication Timing: The first edition must be commercially released between the specified dates.

How to Nominate

Nominations can be submitted either personally or by recommending others. Nominators need to fill out the specified nomination form and send it via email along with two copies of the nominated publication to [email protected]. It is important to note that the submission documents and nominated works will not be returned. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2026.

Awards and Recognition

The winners will be publicly announced in the fall of 2026. Recognition will include a trophy and a monetary award presented during a ceremony, as well as an invitation for the authors of the award-winning works to participate in a commemorative lecture.

Background of Saburo Okita

Saburo Okita was born in Dalian, Manchuria, in 1914 and graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University in 1937. Following his career in various government roles, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1979 to 1980, he remained influential in the field of international development until his death in 1993. His legacy continues through endeavors to foster international cooperation and development.

About FASID

Founded in 1990, FASID has played a pivotal role in nurturing talent and conducting research in international development. The organization is committed to contributing to a peaceful and prosperous global society through various initiatives, including the management of Official Development Assistance (ODA), supporting businesses in developing countries, scholarship programs for advanced degrees, and honoring outstanding research through the Okita Prize.

Prize Committee Members

The evaluation committee for the 30th Okita Prize comprises notable figures such as:

- Chair: Tsuneo Sugishita (President of FASID)
- Hidenori Edokoro (Visiting Researcher at Hosei University)
- Izumi Ono (Honorary Professor at GRIPS)
- Naohiro Kitano (Professor at Waseda University)
- Saburo Takizawa (Honorary Professor at Toyo Eiwa University)
- Keiko Asato (Executive Director of FASID)

For more information and updates regarding the Okita Memorial Prize, please visit the prize website. All queries regarding nominations should be directed to the Okita Prize Secretariat at FASID via the contact details provided above.

We appreciate the continued support and interest from all participants and look forward to your nominations of exemplary works that address the pressing challenges in international development.