The award will be given to people from Japan and Asia who have performed distinguished service in the field of welfare.
The late Kazuo Itoga
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In order to praise the achievements of Kazuo Itoga (1914-1968), a man who dedicated half of his life to welfare for the handicapped and was affectionately known as the "Father of Welfare for the handicapped," Shiga Prefecture has established the "Kazuo Itoga Memorial Award" to be presented to people who work for the promotion of welfare activities in Japan and Asia.
The award, which as a rule will be given out only to individuals, is for people who have performed service in the field of welfare and who are expected will continue to do so in the future. Approximately two recipients will be chosen every year from candidates in Japan who have been recommended, and several million yen will also be awarded as a supplementar prize. For the Asia region, recommendations will be accepted through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Committee of the International Social Welfare Society. In the next fiscal year, the foundation, which will manage the award, and its selection committee will be established, and the award will be given out starting in 1997. Shiga Prefecture along with private organizations will provide the funds for the organizations endowment. Following the idea for a developmental guarantee of the handicapped, "Let's make this child the light of the world", Mr. Itoga established many facilities, including the Biwako Dormitory, a facility for handicapped people with severe mental and physical disorders. Until passing away in 1968 at the age of 54, Mr. Itoga accomplished distinguished work as a pioneer for welfare for the mentally handicapped throughout Japan. |
