On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, the 36th “Higo Water and Greenery Protection Award” presentation ceremony and commemorative lecture were held.

Chief Director Kai gave a speech at the opening: “This year marks the 36th anniversary of presenting the ‘Higo Water and Greenery Protection Award’. Including this year’s recipients, 346 organizations and 16 individuals, a total of 362 recipients have received the awards up to this date. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the co-sponsors, Kumamoto Prefecture and Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun, for their support in ensuring the social awareness of this award, as well as to Kumamoto City and many others who have endorsed the purpose of this activity, which has enabled this award program to continue for a long time. We received a total of 30 applications this year; 20 in the “Continuation award section” and 10 in the “General section” of the awards category. At the jury committee meeting held on August 19, four organizations were selected for the “Continuation award section” and two for the “General section” as winners. I would like to extend my congratulations to the six organizations that are selected as recipients of the awards.”
The guests of honor opening remarks were presented by Governor Kabashima of Kumamoto Prefecture and Deputy Mayor Fukamizu of Kumamoto City.

Following the opening remarks by the guests of honor, Mr. Shimada, chairman of the jury committee, gave his comments on the selection of the winners.

Certificate of commendation, commendation shield, and activity subsidy were handed out to the recipients in each section of the award category—four organizations in the “Continuation award section” and two organizations in the “General section”—of the Higo Water and Greenery Protection Award.

“Ashikita High School” in Kumamoto Prefecture, the winner of the “Continuation award section”.

“Ezu Lake Study Group”, the winner of the “Continuation award section”.

“Ogic Technologies Co., Ltd.”, the winner of the “Continuation award section”.

“Kyushu Kumamoto Plant of Suntory Holdings Ltd.”, the winner of the “Continuation award section”.

“NPO Furusato Sousei”, the winner of the “General section”.

“ Ninja Forest Protection Group of Ashikita municipal Ohno Elementary School”, the winner of the “General section”.

After receiving a speech from the representative of each award-winning organization introducing their activities, a 50-minute commemorative lecture was given by Professor Yukihiro Shimatani of Kumamoto Prefectural University on the topic of “Aso Greenfields and the Predominance of Water Resource Supply”.

We extend our respect to all the organizations and individuals who have continued their activities over the years despite the hardships caused by prolonged covid-19 and natural disasters.  This year, there were numbers of organizations that narrowly missed out on the award.  We look forward to receiving many applications again next year.