Recipients of the 12th Nakasone Yasuhiro Award

Age: 42
Nationality : Japan
Associate Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo

Reason for selection: Dr. Ikeuchi, as a researcher of Islamic Political Thought, elucidates the Islamic theory of state, power, and legitimacy, and analyzes, from history of political thought and social theory approaches, the role of Islam in global political society and influences of Islam on political action and mobilization in the Muslim world. Such factors as the rise of ISIS (Islamic State), civil strife, recurring terrorism, and mass migration have thrown the Middle East into incessant turmoil. Dr. Ikeuchi’s publications on his analysis of the current Middle East situation and its background including Islam and Islamic thought and internet dispatches of information that heighten awareness and deepen understanding of the Middle East and Islam were highly evaluated in his selection for the award.

Age: 52
Nationality : Japan
Head and Chief Leader, Comprehensive Capacity Development Project for the Bangsamoro, Japan International cooperation Agency (JICA)

Reason for selection: Mr. Ochiai, in his role at Japan International cooperation Agency (JICA), has worked for the past 14 years in Mindanao, the Philippines in efforts such as cease-fire monitoring, civil protection, humanitarian support, and socioeconomic development. As a member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT) inaugurated in 2010 after the cease-fire agreement between the Philippine Government and MILF, Mr. Ochiai contributed to the achievement of a dramatic reduction in cease-fire violations. In the process of development work, he prioritized close communication with the local people affected by the conflict. His leadership in socioeconomic development and organizational/human resources cultivation to support the peace process in the JICA project were highly evaluated in his selection for the award.

Age: 44
Nationality : Japan
Associate Professor, Graduate School of International Relations, International University of Japan

Reason for selection: Dr. Kumagai conducts research in the field of international relations, covering the comfort women issue, criticism of revisionism by Japan, sexual violence on the battlefield, and human trafficking. She actively works to make these issues known both in Japan and internationally and is engaged in international cooperation to address them. In 2014, she published a book titled in Japanese Ianfu Mondai about the comfort women issue. The publication received acclaim for its accuracy and lack of bias, and for contributing to an early resolution. This objective and multifaceted understanding of diplomatic and historical issues is an approach applicable to other issues in the pursuit of peaceful coexistence and was highly evaluated in her selection for this award.