Tokyo, October 26, 2018 - The Japan Times Satoyama Consortium (Representative: Minako Suematsu, chairperson of The Japan Times Co., Ltd.) announced the winners of the "Satoyama Photo Contest 2018."

"Satoyama capitalism" is giving new exchangeable value by people in the community to resources of natural origin promoted by this consortium to create a safe and promising community. It also creates a beautiful and deep feelings toward nature, crops, industry, and people. This contest is aimed at spreading more interest in Satoyama by photos taken in various areas. In the contest, we received applications for general category 879 works and 51 municipal category, and judging by adviser of this consortium, voting by Japan Times readers, one prize in each division and two outstanding prizes were decided

The prize-winning works are scheduled to be published on the English language newspaper The Japan Times on Nov. 5th 2018.

【General Category Best Award】

Photographer：Mr. Hideto Hirayama

Shooting Place: Hoshi-toge, Niigata Pref.

Thank you for choosing my work. Even more of just allowing me to take pictures, I will continue to keep my manners and show my respect to the people of the area.

【General Category Excellence Award】

Photographer: Mr. Masayuki Mafune

Shooting Place: Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka Pref.

We do not get much snow in Fukuoka, but when we do, it only sticks possibly once a year. Despite such a region, when the snow falls, it is shoveled away for worshipers to pass through which resembles a feeling of Japan and to be able to photograph that was an honor itself. I am very pleased to be chosen for the Excellence Award. I would like to continue to take photographs of Japanese landscape from now on and continue with Satoyama Landscapes. Thank you very much.

【General Category Excellence Award】

Photographer: Ken-san

Shooting Place: Nantan-shi, Kyoto Pref.

I am very pleased that my work has been selected for such a wonderful prize, I never thought I’d be contacted. If it weren’t for me leaving early in the morning, I would not have seen a scene worthy of a Satoyama landscape. This has brought up nostalgic memories. I believe it would be best to keep Satoyama Landscapes. Thank you very much.

【Municipal Category Best Award】

Municipality: Hayama-machi

Town Mayor: Mr. Takahito Yamanashi

Shooting Place: Kamiyamaguchi, Hayama-machi, Kanagawa Pref.

Unusual rice paddies remain in Kanto as like in this original scenery of Hayama. At dusk, the colors created by natural nature such as the sky and the mountains shine beautifully.

【Municipal Category Excellence Award】

Municipality: Kumano-shi

Mayor: Mr. Kanji Kawakami

Shooting Place: Maruyama-Senmaida, Mie Pref.

"Maruyama Senmaida" is chosen as the Japanese one hundred rice terraces. Every year in early July, 1340 torches are lit and an insect repellent event is held in this fantastic landscape.

【Municipal Category Excellence Award】

Municipality: Yamagata-shi

Mayor: Mr. Takahiro Sato

Shooting Place: West Part of Yamagata-shi, Yamagata Pref.

On a gently rolling hilly area west of Yamagata City, rice patty fields have been made and used since long ago. It is not as big as a rice terrace, however, rice is preciously cherished here.

■ About The Japan Times Satoyama Consortium

【Activity guidelines】

1. To support, connect and increase practitioners of Satoyama capitalism and to make that activity sustainable.

2. To make Satoyama capitalism function as an alternate option of money capitalism.

3. Supporting and involvement in Satoyama capitalism is to create an environment that increases the value of companies, local governments, etc. both in Japan and overseas.

【Official URL】https://satoyama-satoumi.net/

* "Satoyama capitalism" is not only dependent on the "money economy (money capitalism)" symbolized by the Lehman shock, but also to Japanese history and it’s natural resources without monetary value practice. It is a way of capitalism to create a community that is safe and promising as well as giving the exchangeable value by the hands of people living in it. It is ideal that various unutilized resources are utilized by local practitioners which could create jobs, and lead to revitalization of the entire region.

Enquiries

The Japan Times, Ltd.

Press-related enquiries:

Ms. Sasaki/Ms. Kumano, Corporate Affairs Management

E-mail: [email protected]

Contents-related enquiries:

Japan Times Satoyama Promotion Consortium Secretariat

E-mail: [email protected]

The press release may be downloaded in PDF format