Okinawa Peace Prize
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Okinawa Peace Prize
The Okinawa Peace Prize was established in 2001 by The Okinawa Peace Prize Committee, with the aim of disseminating the "heart of Okinawa" to the world, which aspires to peace, and contributing to the creation of international peace. This award is given to individuals and organizations that are engaged in activities that contribute to building and maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region, which has deep geographical and historical ties to Okinawa. There is a single Okinawa Peace Prize which will be awarded to a single individual/organization. The prize laureate will receive an honoring certificate and an extra prize of 10,000,000yen. This prize will be awarded once every two years.
Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
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11 | The Himeyuri Peace Museum | Japan | 2022 | The foundation established the Himeyuri Peace Museum in 1989, since then 23 million people have visited the museum. The museum exhibits valuable materials like the belongings of the Himeryuri students that were left in the cave they had sheltered in during the war. The museum is utilized as a learning place for peace where the survivors of the Himeyuri Student Corps tell their own stories of the war as "witnesses". For many years, they have made a significant contribution to peace education for the younger generations of Okinawan residents as well as for school trip students from outside Okinawa. |
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10 | Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation | Japan | 2020 | JANIC has broadened the scope of its activities as a leader and a facilitator for the entire international cooperation NGO sector in Japan, strengthening the capacity of NGOs, making policies, recommendations, and negotiating with the government. Through the coordination and mediation of the entire internatio nal cooperation NGO sector, JANIC's contribution in shaping the infrastructure for NGOs and civil society to achieve more real value has been significant. |
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9 | Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) | Japan | 2018 | The JVC has left an outstanding track record in the Asia-Pacific region throughout the scope of their long history and multilateral activities promoting peace, anti-violence, and guarantee for people’s safety. |
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8 | Japan Association for Refugees (JAR) | Japan | 2016 | JAR’ s steady and comprehensive projects over the past fifteen plus years and their PR and outreach efforts to ensure the continuation of their projects, they have greatly contributed to the absorption of a peaceful mentality i n the people of Japan and we hope their efforts will help form the bedrock for the establishment of peace across the Asia Pacific region. |
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7 | Japan Heart | Japan | 2014 | Japan Heart dispatches doctors and nurses to medical clinics in isolated islands and remote rural areas throughout Japan that are hindered by a shortage of medical personnel. While providing medical services that are uniquely tailored to each region, it is also involved in training up qualified professionals in order to create “self-reliant nurses.” |
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6 | Shapla Neer Citizens’ Committee | Japan | 2012 | Shapla Neer turns its eyes to street children, working children, women and the elderly, the handicapped, natives, and others who have been “left behind” societally and economically. |
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5 | Services for the Health in Asian and African Regions | Japan | 2010 | SHARE has carried out emergency support operations at the time of large-scale disasters such as the Great Hanshin and Awaji Earthquake, the Niigata Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake, and the earthquake that occurred in the ocean off Sumatra. |
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4 | AAR JAPAN | Japan | 2008 | ??With its steady activities and participatory grass-root campaigns, which include various enlightenment programs, AAR Japan has contributed to advancing citizens’ awareness of peace and fostering youths with international perspective. |
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3 | Okinawa-Laos Cleft Palate Patient Support Center | Japan | 2006 | To date, numerous cleft lip and palate surgical procedures have been performed there free of change. The Center has also trained local staff and donated dental equipment and has devoted much effort to developing and expanding children’s dental hygiene projects. |
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2 | AMDA International | Japan | 2004 | In order to carry out their volunteering operations smoothly in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, AMDA played a leading role in Japan. |
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1 | Peshawar-kai | Japan | 2002 | Peshawar-kai has contributed to peace and human security through activities such as practice in medical and primary health care |
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Akinawa Peace Prize Laureates (2025 ~ 2000)
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Okinawa-Himeyuri-Peace-Foundation.jpg)
Okinawa Himeyuri Peace Foundation
Okinawa Peace Prize 2022
The foundation established the Himeyuri Peace Museum in 1989, since then 23 million
people have visited the museum. The museum exhibits valuable materials like the belongings
of the Himeryuri students that were left in the cave they had sheltered in during the
war. The museum is utilized as a learning place for peace where the survivors of the
Himeyuri Student Corps tell their own stories of the war as "witnesses". For many years,
they have made a significant contribution to peace education for the younger generations
of Okinawan residents as well as for school trip students from outside Okinawa.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Janic.jpg)
J A N I C
Okinawa Peace Prize 2020
JANIC has broadened the scope of its activities as a leader and a facilitator
for the entire international cooperation NGO sector in Japan, strengthening the capacity
of NGOs, making policies, recommendations, and negotiating with the government.
Through the coordination and mediation of the entire internatio nal cooperation NGO
sector, JANIC's contribution in shaping the infrastructure for NGOs and civil society to
achieve more real value has been significant.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/J-V-C.jpg)
J V C
Okinawa Peace Prize 2018
The JVC has left an outstanding track record in the Asia-Pacific region throughout the
scope of their long history and multilateral activities promoting peace, anti-violence, and
guarantee for people’s safety.
Moreover, the medium-term goal (2016 − 2020) is to actively participate in peacebuilding
activities, and the projects held up until now are exp ected to continue into the
future and greatly contribute to the promotion of peace-building.
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![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Japan-Association-for-Refugees.jpg)
Japan Association for Refugees
Okinawa Peace Prize 2016
Due to JAR’ s steady and comprehensive projects over the past fifteen plus years and
their PR and outreach efforts to ensure the continuation of their projects, they have
greatly contributed to the absorption of a peaceful mentality i n the people of Japan and
we hope their efforts will help form the bedrock for the establishment of peace across the
Asia Pacific region.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Japan-Heart.jpg)
Japan Heart
Okinawa Peace Prize 2014
In Myanmar especially, each year Japan Heart carries out roughly 12,000 medical examinations
and 2,000 operations with the cooperation of volunteer doctors and nurses.
Their work is also being promoted in Cambodia and Laos, where t he governments of
those countries have entered into agreements regarding medical collaboration.
Furthermore, Japan Heart dispatches doctors and nurses to medical clinics in isolated
islands and remote rural areas throughout Japan that are hindered by a shortage of medical
personnel. While providing medical services that are uniquely tailored to each region,
it is also involved in training up qualified professionals in order to create “self-reliant
nurses.”
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Shapla-Neer.jpg)
Shapla Neer
Okinawa Peace Prize 2012
In order to solve problems symbolizing the North-South divide, they face these problems
head on as their own, rather than as far-away issues. They extend the range of their
support: emergency relief and reconstruction support for cyclones, floods, and other natural
disasters, as well as drawing up regional disaster prevention plans aiming for disaster
risk reduction.
Continuing over many years, Shapla Neer has built a bond with local communities that
will continue into the future. Their activities in Bangladesh, Nepal, India (West Bengal)
and other places will develop even further, underpinned by the trust of the people with
their experiences and achievements. We have high hopes for their development of a foundation
for peace in the Asia-Pacific Region.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SHARE-Japan.jpg)
SHARE Japan
Okinawa Peace Prize 2010
What can be particularly recognized are SHARE’ s healthcare activities which value a
primary healthcare approach, strive to realize a society in which all people can live in
good physical and mental health, and which are based on a long-term perspective. Moreover,
local resident participatory activities which involve thinking together with local
residents, facilitating their independence, and providing sideline support for their independent
initiatives are structured in a way that allows local residents themselves to continue
their initiatives long-term, which is expected to lead to the fruition and further development
of these community activities.
SHARE’ s over 27 years of experience and achievements are expected to save those
people and regions which, even now, are deprived of living healthy lives, as well as to be
a force of creating peace in the Asia Pacific region.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AAR-Japan.jpg)
AAR Japan
Okinawa Peace Prize 2008
With its steady activities and participatory grass-root campaigns, which include various
enlightenment programs, AAR Japan has contributed to advancing citizens’ awareness of
peace and fostering youths with international perspective. Thus, the organization has
evolved to become a pioneer amongst international NGOs.
It is highly expected that in the coming future, AAR Japan will not only continue to
focus on refugee assistance and the landmine problem, yet also extend efforts to combating
AIDS, malaria, and other wide-ranging issues. While it partners with other NGOs and
remain a forerunner in initiating international humanitarian project, it is hoped that AAR
Japan will continue to launch even more effective programs so that the Japanese society
will be able to accept refugees.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Okinawa-Laos-Cleft-Palate-Patient-Support-Center.jpg)
Okinawa-Laos Cleft Palate Patient Support Center
Okinawa Peace Prize 2006
This work has given hope to people who experienced discrimination on account of
their infirmities and has helped them toward full participation in society.
Laos is a country still struggling to overcome the ravages of civil war. This assistance,
coming from Okinawa, which also suffered grievously in war, is a splendid expression of
the spirit of mutual aid born of Okinawa’s history and culture.
The Support Center plants to continue expanding its work in Laos and expects that its Efforts
will both established dentistry in Laos on firm footing and bring Okinawa and Laos
closer together through the technology transfer process.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AMDA.jpg)
AMDA International
Okinawa Peace Prize 2004
AMDA multi-national group of doctors, which is based on an international network,
provides immediate support to ease the anxiety of those numerous victims of unexpected
misfortunes that follow natural disasters. AMDA has also saved precious lives and has
given the hope of reconstruction.
Furthermore, AMDA is expanding support activities such as medical insurance, education
and the improvement of environmental living standards worldwide. For example, they
fight against serious problems such as HIV; priority is given to people’ s needs, and activities
are being carried out continuously until people can become independent in prospect.
In order to carry out their volunteering operations smoothly in the 1995 Great Hanshin
Earthquake, AMDA played a leading role in Japan. Also they put in plenty of effort in
the area of human resource development for the next generation by organizing study tours
and so on.
![](https://livinghumanity.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Peshawar-kai.jpg)
Peshawar-kai
Okinawa Peace Prize 2002
Peshawar-kai has contributed to peace and human security through activities such as
practice in medical and primary health care. Peshawar-kai has also shown devotion to
rescuing human lives and securing basic human rights amidst such social anxieties such
as poverty; in doing so, these corresponding activities have achieved success in raising
awareness for universal peace. Simultaneously, Peshawar-kai has also effectively demonstrated
the possibility of volunteer activities in Asia by the Japanese.
Towards the reconstruction of Afghanistan, it is expected that Peshawar-kai will contributed
to the stability of the Asia-Pacific region through a broad range of activities such
as: medical services, water-source projects, agricultural reconstruction projects, and road
maintenance in the future.