#Japan #Tokyo #picture book #financial literacy #Sony Bank

Sony Bank's Financial Literacy Picture Book Award Winners Announced

Sony Bank, under the leadership of President Keiichi Minami, has revealed the winners of the "Financial Literacy Picture Book Award sponsored by Sony Bank". This initiative was managed by Nicomo, led by President Misato Inukai, and aimed to educate children on financial concepts.

Running from November 20, 2024, to March 17, 2025, the award invited submissions of picture books that explore themes of money and economics, specifically targeting children aged 6 to 8 (1st to 3rd graders). The competition saw an impressive 103 submissions from various creators.

The Grand Prize was determined through a panel of judges consisting of Nicomo representatives and three esteemed picture book authors, while the Special Prize was decided by a public vote from Sony Bank customers. The Grand Prize was awarded to Fumito Ito for his book, "What is Money, Thinking in Animal Village", and the Special Prize went to Gooru Takekuma for his book, "Kerokero Cake".

The recipients of the Grand Prize will receive a cash award of 1 million yen and support for publishing (distribution through bookstores), while the Special Prize winner will gain 50,000 yen.

The Grand Prize-winning book aims to provide opportunities for children to engage with concepts of money and economics. In support of this objective, the books will be donated to a non-profit organization, After School NPO, and will also be featured in a promotional campaign for Sony Bank customers through a lottery giveaway.

Judges' Feedback

The judges were highly impressed by the creativity and clarity of the submissions. Yuichi Kimura, one of the judges and a noted picture book author, praised the Grand Prize-winning work for its clear understanding and easy-to-follow story, stating that it stood out significantly among the numerous submissions. He noted that both the narrative and illustrations were well-balanced, making it an exceptional piece.

Yasushi Tsukamoto, another judge, remarked on the innovative approaches taken by many of the entries that creatively explored the concept of financial literacy, while highlighting the overall quality of the Grand Prize book.

Kaori Amabe commended the humorous and straightforward depiction of money in the top work, emphasizing its positive and engaging portrayal of financial topics for children.

For more details regarding the winners and their works, you can view the official announcement here.

Sony Bank is committed to fostering a society where children can grow up with a better understanding of finances. They believe that money is a tool for individuals to lead better lives and aim to be a financial institution that serves the unique purposes of each customer. Furthermore, Sony Bank is actively working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its banking activities and the enhancement of value creation.

Through this initiative, Sony Bank hopes to contribute especially to the SDGs, shaping a financially literate future for the next generation.