Akita Prefecture announces Cultural Merit Award recipients

Akita Prefecture has announced the recipients of this year’s Cultural Merit Awards, consisting of four individuals and one organization. The selected honorees include Hajime Sawabe for academic arts and industry, Shozo Oto, Kazuko Akagawa for social welfare, and Sakao Sato for fine arts and crafts. The Omagari Hanabi Cooperative was also selected for its industrial contributions.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the prefectural government office on October 27. Established in 1956, the Cultural Merit Award aims to recognize individuals and groups that have significantly contributed to the cultural development of the prefecture.