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Activities of the Photographic Society of Japan 2007 Established with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1952, the Photographic Society of Japan is an organization whose objective is to ¡Ècontribute to the promotion of international friendship through photography and the advancement of culture¡É. With a membership comprising both full society members (individuals) and supporting members (groups), the Photographic Society of Japan functions as Japan¡Çs only comprehensive cultural organization encompassing all aspects of Japan¡Çs photographic world. As of the end of 2007, full members number 1,552 an increase of 69 over last year¡Çs membership and include professional and amateur photographers as well as individuals involved in photography-related fields of science, technology, education, and journalism. Supporting membership comprises 60 corporations and organizations, including various associations representative of today¡Çs photographic industry, manufacturers, trading firms, photography laboratories, studios, educational institutions, and the mass media. The basic objectives of the Photographic Society of Japan are as follows. ¡¡ ¡¦To undertake exchange with overseas photographic organizations with the aim of contributing to the promotion of international friendship through photography and the advancement of culture. ¡¡ ¡¦To undertake activities on a national scale with the aim of encouraging the development and advancement of photographic culture. ¡¡ ¡¦To sponsor a variety of activities in which a broad section of the general public can participate with the aim of popularizing and promoting photographic culture. Everyday administration of the Society is performed by seven subcommittees operating under the Society¡Çs Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Executive Committee. The establishment of a general Committee to oversee and coordinate the activities of these various subcommittees has enabled each subcommittee to perform its functions with responsibility, and through this system we are endeavoring to concretely and more effectively pursue the Society¡Çs broad-ranging activities in accordance with the Society¡Çs philosophy. Elections for Society Directors were held in 2007; in addition to the election of Masayuki Muneyuki as Chairman and Takeyoshi Tanuma as Vice-Chairman, Soichi Kubo was elected as Vice-Chairman with the retirement of Takeshi Ozawa from that post. Furthermore, former Chairman Minoru Ohnishi was appointed as Honorary Chairman and former Vice-Chairman Takeshi Ozawa was appointed as Honorary Advisor.   Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting Fiscal 2007 Date: May 21 (Monday), 2007 Venue: Rooms 601/602 Conference Room, JCII Building Attendees: 1,054 (Actual attendees: 56; Letters of proxy: 998) Agenda: (1) 2006 Photographic Society of Japan Activities Report and Financial Statement (2) 2007 Photographic Society of Japan Activities Plan and Budget (3) Elections held due to the expiration of Board of Directors members¡Ç terms of office Board of Directors Meeting 3rd Board of Directors Meeting Fiscal 2006 Date: March 26 (Monday), 2007 Venue: Rooms 601/602 Conference Room, JCII Building Attendees: 54 (Actual attendees: 29; Letters of proxy: 25) Agenda: (1) 2007 Photographic Society of Japan Activities Plan and Budget (2) Admission to and Withdrawal from the Society of Supporting Members 1st Board of Directors Meeting Fiscal 2007 Date: May 21 (Monday), 2007 Venue: Rooms 601/602 Conference Room, JCII Building Attendees: 53 (Actual attendees: 30; Letters of proxy: 23) Agenda: (1) 2006 Photographic Society of Japan Activities Report and Financial Statement (2) Elections held due to the expiration of Board of Directors members¡Ç terms of office (3) Admission to and Withdrawal from the Society of Full and Supporting Members 2nd Board of Directors Meeting Fiscal 2007 Date: May 21 (Monday), 2007 Venue: Rooms 601/602 Conference Room, JCII Building Attendees: 52 (Actual attendees: 29; Letters of proxy: 23) Agenda: (1) Elected Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, and Executive Directors 1. 2007 Photographic Society of Japan Awards Ceremony and Exhibition of Prize-Winning Works Photographic Society of Japan Awards recognize outstanding achievements of individuals and groups, both in Japan and overseas, in activities related to photographic culture in Japan; recipients of each award are selected from amongst candidates who published exceptional photographic works or essays in the previous year. The selection process begins with Society-appointed nominators(knowledgeable persons) and Society members recommending potential candidates to the Screening Committee, which then chooses recipients for each of the awards from amongst these nominees. The 2007 Screening Committee comprised the following seven members: (In alphabetical order; titles omitted. Status current as at February 2007) Masafumi Fukagawa (Museum Curator) Naohisa Hara (Professor, College of Art, Nihon University) Koji Itami (Photo Editor) Kunio Kawaguchi (Photographer) Shigeichi Nagano (Photographer) Kohichi Saitoh (Photographer) Toshinobu Takeuchi (Photographer) Award Recipients and Reasons for their Selection (Titles omitted). International Prize: Terry Bennett, in recognition of his tremendous contribution to the study of Japan¡Çs photographic history through his collection and research over many years of photographs from the late Edo Period through the Meiji Period and the publication of excellent works such as ¡ÈPHOTOGRAPHY IN JAPAN 1853-1912¡É. Distinguished Contributions Award: Minoru Ohnishi, in recognition of his enormous contribution and success over more than 20 years as a director of the Photographic Society of Japan (and as Chairman from 1997 until 2006) in working to enhance and strengthen supporting organizations and photographic cultural activities, as well as in holding successive positions in various sectors of the photographic world and establishing the Japanese photography industry on the world scene. Distinguished Contributions Award (awarded posthumously): Goro Kuramochi, in recognition of his contribution, as one of the few truly dedicated organizers of photographic events in Japan, in introducing Japanese photographers in other countries and overseas photographers to Japan, raising social awareness of the power of photographs through many photographic exhibitions. Distinguished Contributions Award: Yoho Tsuda, in recognition of his tremendous contribution in preserving and introducing photographic culture of our forefathers through his support over many years of the Naniwa Shashin Club and in recent years as the club¡Çs representative, the publication of the club¡Çs centennial photographic collection and holding of the centennial photographic exhibition. Cultural Advancement Award: Iida City, for the city¡Çs great contribution to the advancement of Japanese photographic culture by producing and rewarding outstanding photographic artists, in both professional and amateur divisions, through the Iida-City Shihachi Fujimoto Cultural Prize for Photography, held for the 10th time in 2007, which was established to honor the achievements of the locally born photographer Shihachi Fujimoto. Cultural Advancement Award: The Kyoto Photography Club ¡ÈHow are you, PHOTOGRAPHY?¡É Committee, for their efforts in holding this annual exhibition, for the 11th time in 2006, which has involved a broad range of photograph-loving Kyoto City residents. The exhibition¡Çs diverse range of displayed works and evolving continuity have stimulated the photographic culture in the Kansai region tremendously and displayed great future potential. Annual Award: Ikuo Nakamura, for his achievements in showing the richness of the oceans and the preciousness of marine creatures to many people through his exhibition and compilation of a tremendous number of inspirational works taken over many years in the photographic exhibition and collection ¡È27,000 Hours Under the Sea¡É. Lifetime Achievement Award: Yoshimitsu Nagasaka, for his long years of broad, continuous portrayal on the photographic theme of nationwide mountain religions, particularly that of Mt. Koya, and for his numerous outstanding works, represented by ¡ÈPassage to Eternity: Yoshino and Omine¡É (2006). Lifetime Achievement Award: Akito Mizutani, for his achievements as an active front-line magazine photographer in the field of sports photography over many years. His outstanding expressiveness and performance, as well as his current position in nurturing young photographers, have naturally been highly recognized. Scholastic Achievement Award: Yuri Mitsuda, for her well-received work ¡ÈPhotography, on the Boundary of Art¡É, which raises new issues regarding Japanese photographic history through its analysis and reexamination from a unique perspective of the expression and photographic activity of pioneering Japanese photographers such as Yasuzo Nojima and Nakaji Yasui. Newcomer¡Çs Award: Ken Kitano, for the consistency of his ¡Èour face¡É method and project, involving the development of tens of people¡Çs faces on the one photographic printing sheet, as well as the new potential for modern photography the project demonstrates in consideration of the social nature of photography. Newcomer¡Çs Award: Kazutoshi Yoshimura, for his contribution to the flourishing of photographic culture through the creation of a broad spectrum of photography fans with his numerous photographic collections, represented by the recent ¡ÈAnnapolis Valley Stories¡É, portraying the poetic natural beauty and lifestyle of Canada. Special Award: J. Wally Higgins, for the documentary value of his collection of railway photographs, shot in Japan using color film in the late 1950s, entitled ¡ÈShowa 30¡Çs Historic Railway Scenes¡É, as well as for the high quality and value of his collection as a hometown album difficult for Japanese people to acquire. This year on June 1st, the Annual Day of Photography, a special one-hour Annual Day of Photography commemorative lecture, ¡ÈHistorical Japanese Photographs¡É, presented by Mr. Terry Bennett, the winner of the International Prize, in the Phoenix Room of the Sasakawa Hall, Tokyo. The lecture was followed by the 2007 Photographic Society of Japan Awards Ceremony. With Society Executive Director Takao Kajiwara acting as emcee, Chairman Masayuki Muneyuki gave the welcoming address, after which slides of the winning works were shown and the reasons they were chosen explained. Chairman Muneyuki then presented each award recipient individually with certificates and commemorative gifts, following which the recipients briefly addressed the audience. Following the Awards Ceremony, the celebrations moved to the Kiku Restaurant within the Sasakawa Hall for the Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007 Reception. With Society member Kenji Sakayori acting as emcee, Photographic Society of Japan Vice Chairman Soichi Kubo addressed the gathering as representative of the organizers. The three photographers invited from India - Mr. Prashant Panjiar, Mr. Pablo Bartholomew, and Mr. Suvendu Chatterjee - were then introduced, and Mr. Chatterjee addressed the gathering as representative of the three. The event brought together approximately 240 participants, including Society members and representatives of all areas of the photographic world, and following the toast by Japan Photo Culture Association President Noboru Okuda, friendships were deepened and blossoms of international exchange nurtured through photography. Following relaxed conversation, the reception concluded with words of thanks from the Chairman of the Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007 Organizing Committee and Photographic Society of Japan Director Yutaka Ohira. An exhibition of Photographic Society of Japan Award-winning works of 2007 was held at the Fuji Photo Salon in Ginza, Tokyo, from June 1st to 7th. In addition to the award-winning works, the exhibition included materials showing the achievements of each of the award recipients. 2. The Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007; the Month of Photography, Osaka 2007; and the ¡¡ Month of Photography, Nagoya 2007 The Month of Photography, Tokyo is an event held to coincide with the Annual Day of Photography on June 1st. With the Month of Photography, Tokyo being held for the 12th time, the Month of Photography, Osaka for the 6th time, and the Month of Photography, Nagoya for the 5th time in 2007, this event plays a significant role in the popularization and promotion of photographic culture. The Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007 The Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007 was organized jointly by the Photographic Society of Japan and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography, with the generous sponsorship of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Embassy of India, as well as the kind support of 29 other businesses and organizations, as well as that of the Photo Gallery Liaison Committee and special cooperation of Air India; financial support was furnished by the Japan Foundation. Month of Photography events in 2007 included the domestic photographic exhibition series ¡ÈPortraits of Tokyo¡É; the international exhibition ¡ÈPhotographers in Asia 2007: India¡É; ¡ÈThe 1,000 Photographers¡Ç Show: My Best Shot¡É; ¡ÈThe Memorial Contest of Annual Day of Photography, 2007 Awards Exhibition¡É; the ¡ÈPhotographic Society of Japan Awards Exhibition of Prize-Winning Works¡É; ¡ÈAnnual Day of Photography Commemorative Lecture¡É; and the Photographic Society of Japan Awards Ceremony and Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007 Reception. The domestic photographic exhibition series ¡ÈPortraits of Tokyo¡É included the Masaaki Kasuga exhibition ¡ÈTokyo 1963-66¡É, held at the FUJIFILM SQUARE Fujifilm Photo Salon; the Yoichi Kamiyama exhibition ¡ÈTokyo Lifestyles 1992-2002¡É, held at the Portrait Gallery; and the Herbie Yamaguchi exhibition ¡Èmy favorite faces¡É, held at the Pentax Forum. The works of these three photographers depict the transformation of Tokyo as the metropolis cast off the shell of the 20th century and emerged into the 21st. The well-received exhibitions elicited nostalgia and surprise from viewers, with some awakened to new discoveries and emotions. ¡ÈPhotographers in Asia¡É is an international exhibition program held with the purpose of deepening exchange with photographers from Asian countries with which Japan usually has little contact. India was selected for this year¡Çs exhibition in part because of Japan-India Friendship Year being held in 2007, and three photographers were invited from India to participate: Mr. Prashant Panjiar, Mr. Pablo Bartholomew, and Mr. Suvendu Chatterjee. The ¡ÈKING, COMMONER, CITIZEN¡É exhibition (Prashant Panjiar) was held at the Konica Minolta Plaza; the group exhibition ¡ÈIndia in her colour and vibrancy¡É was held at the Canon Gallery Ginza; the ¡ÈManipur¡É exhibition (Suvendu Chatterjee) was held at the Ginza Nikon Salon; the ¡ÈThe Nagas: Marked by Beauty¡É exhibition (Pablo Bartholomew) was held at the Olympus Gallery; and the group exhibition ¡ÈIndia in diversity¡É was held at the Aidem Photo Gallery Sirius. Through this extremely well-received exhibition series, Japanese viewers were able to learn about the role of religion in the everyday lives of the people of India, as well as see the modern lifestyles of the recently born new-rich class that has rapidly emerged as a result of economic development, such as in the IT industry, against the huge disparity between rich and poor, between maharajahs and commoners, as a result of the caste system which still continues today. During his visit to Japan, Mr. Panjiar participated in a seminar held jointly with Days Japan magazine, speaking on the child labor situation in India and related issues. Mr. Panjiar and Mr. Chatterjee were also interviewed by NHK International Satellite Broadcasting and the interview was broadcast around the world on the ¡ÈNews Today Asia¡É news program. ¡ÈThe 1,000 Photographers¡Ç Show: My Best Shot¡É, was held this year from May 26th to 29th at the Shinjuku Park Tower Gallery 3 (Open Deck Gallery). The number of group exhibits increased, and the venue was packed with many visitors. Adding a new ¡ÈNature¡É category this year, ¡ÈThe Memorial Contest of Annual Day of Photography, 2007 Awards Exhibition¡É attracted entries from throughout the country; the richly varied works were displayed at the Shinjuku Park Tower Gallery 3 (Open Deck Gallery) from May 31st to June 6th, and the awards ceremony was held on June 2nd. Following the Tokyo exhibition, the works toured the country, being displayed at the Fujifilm Photo Salon Osaka (Honmachi) (July 27th to August 2nd); the Fukushima City Museum of Photography (September 4th to 23rd); and the Ikeda Public Museum of Art in Nagano Prefecture (October 27th to December 2nd). The Month of Photography, Osaka 2007 Now in its 6th year, the Month of Photography, Osaka has become firmly established amongst photographic enthusiasts covering a wide age range, from elementary school students to senior citizens, in the Kansai region. Held from May to June, the festival was organized predominantly by the Executive Committee of the Month of Photography, Osaka and co-sponsored by the Photographic Society of Japan with the support and cooperation of the Osaka Prefectural and Metropolitan governments and six photography-related schools. Attracting well over the entry limit of 150, the very popular ¡È3.3­Ö for 150 Photographers¡É exhibition was held in six galleries: Osaka Nikon Salon, Canon Gallery Umeda, Fujifilm Photo Salon Osaka, Visual Arts Gallery, Gallery Sen Space, and Pilsen Gallery. Held at Gallery Sen Space, the diverse photographic expressiveness of ¡ÈThe 1,000 Photographers¡Ç Show: My Best Shot¡É exhibition drew the attention of all who viewed the displayed works. Held at the Naniwa Photo Gallery,¡Éthe ¡È3.3­Ö for High Schoolers¡Ç Photographic Exhibition¡É presented aspiration-filled works by student members of high school photography clubs in the Osaka area. Photographic classes for elementary school children on the theme ¡ÈParents and Children Trying their Hands at Black-and White Photography Together¡É were held at the Visual Arts College. The innocent and wonderful photographic works created in this parent-child workshop that ranged from shooting photographs with black-and-white film, to film development and printing on photographic paper were displayed at the same venue as the ¡È3.3m2 for High Schoolers¡Ç Photographic Exhibition¡É. Also in 2007, a commemorative symposium entitled ¡ÈPhotographs of East Asia: Korea and China¡É was held as part of international photographic exchange activities with Korean photographer Mr. Eunkyu Ryu and his wife, writer Ms. Ikuko Toda, as invited guests. Other guests included, from Japan, the photographer and Director of the Mio Photo Award, Mr. Naoya Yoshikawa. In the first session, Mr. Ryu spoke about Korean and Chinese photography ranging from historical to modern-day works, and in the second session a discussion of the current state of photography in Japan, China and Korea was conducted. At the reception following the symposium, talk of photography blossomed, with the international exchange serving to deepen participants¡Ç mutual understanding. The Month of Photography, Nagoya 2007 During the ¡ÈMonth of Photography¡É in June, the popular ¡ÈGallery Stamp Rally¡É was held for the 5th time. The event was again a huge success, with people attending exhibitions at five or more of the ten participating galleries (including the newly added ¡ÈWorld of Surrealism Exhibition¡É held at the Nagoya City Art Museum) - Nagoya City Art Museum, Fuji Photo Salon, Canon Gallery, Nikon Mini-Gallery, Wakita Gallery, NTT Sannomaru Gallery, Horiuchi Photo Salon, Photo Salon San Rue, Camera-no-Amano Photo Salon Imaike, and Seto-Gura - over the Month of Photography are registered for a deluxe prize drawing. 3. Celebration for Recipients of Decorations, Medals, Government, and International ¡¡ Photographic Awards, and Party for Members of the Photographic Society of Japan The Photographic Society of Japan hosts a special end-of-year dinner to honor recipients of decorations and medals for services to the photographic world in Japan (presented the previous spring and autumn), as well as of other official arts and culture awards in Japan and overseas, and of Photographic Society of Japan Awards and various other photographic awards. The 2007 Celebration Dinner for Award Recipients was held on December 14th (Fri.) at the Dai-ichi Hotel in Shimbashi, Tokyo. The event was attended by the following invited prize-winners (titles omitted). Decoration and Medal Recipients for 2007 Spring Awards Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon: Masatoshi Kishimoto (Special Advisor, Olympus Corporation) The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette: Eikoh Hosoe (Photographer) The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays: Noboru Okuda (Advisor (former Chairman), Japan Photo Culture Association) Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon: Akira Kinoshita (Photographer) Autumn Awards Medal with Purple Ribbon: Yoshino Oishi (Photographer) Medal with Blue Ribbon: Tsuyoshi Kikukawa (President, Olympus Corporation) Public Awards 2007 Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award: Takeshi Ozawa (Photographic Historian) International Awards 2007 Pacesetter¡Çs Award (New York, USA); Lucy Award; Visionary Award (Los Angeles, USA): Kenro Izu (Photographer). Photographic Award Recipients 2007 ¡¦ Photographic Society of Japan Awards for 2007 were presented to 11 individuals and 2 organizations (awardees are listed in Section [1]). ¡¦ Photography Award of the Kodansha Publication Culture Award (sponsored by Kodansha Ltd.): Shinichiro Kobayashi ¡¦ Ihei Kimura Award (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun): Kayo Ume; Naoki Honjo ¡¦ Nobuo Ina Award (sponsored by Nikon Corporation): Keizo Kitajima ¡¦ Ken Domon Award (sponsored by Mainichi Shimbun): Ikuo Nakamura ¡¦ Higashikawa Prizes (sponsored by the town of Higashikawa, Hokkaido) Overseas Photographer Prize: Manit Sriwanichpoom Domestic Prize: Kunie Sugiura New Photographer Prize: Masako Imaoka Special Prize: Hiroyuki Yamada ¡¦ Tadahiko Hayashi Prize (sponsored by the Shunan City Culture Promotion Foundation): Toshio Goto ¡¦ Photo City Sagamihara Awards (sponsored by the city of Sagamihara, Kanagawa): Sagamihara Photo Award: Hiroshi Watanabe Asia Award: Steven V-L Lee (Malaysia) Newcomer¡Çs Award: Hiroshi Aoki; Soichiro Nakata At the Celebration Dinner for Award Recipients the recipients of decorations, medals, government, and international awards were introduced following congratulatory remarks by Photographic Society of Japan Chairman Masayuki Muneyuki, and each award winner spoke a few words in response. The recipients of photographic awards were then introduced. Following the celebration for award recipients, the venue shifted to another room at the hotel for the annual end-of-year party for Photographic Society of Japan members. The party began with Society member Motoharu Shimokohbe acting as emcee and Vice-Chairman Takeyoshi Tanuma making the toast, followed by pleasant conversation among the participants. Partway through the evening new Full and Supporting members who joined the Society during 2007 were introduced and welcomed with warm applause. Party participants enjoyed the opportunity provided for enriching friendships and exchanging information and a meaningful time was had by all. Vice Chairman Soichi Kubo made the closing remarks, bringing both the party and the year¡Çs activities to a close. 4. Periodical Publications Periodical publications of the Photographic Society of Japan include the Japan Photo Almanac, as well as the Journal of the Photographic Society of Japan. Planning, editing, and production are performed by the Society¡Çs Editorial Committee. Published to coincide with the Day of Photography on June 1st each year, the Japan Photo Almanac not only reports on events and developments in Japanese photographic culture during the previous year, but also provides information about photography-related groups, organizations and facilities such as art galleries, information on new products, and photographic industry news. The Almanac was first issued in 1958, making this edition the 51st. It is the only resource continuously providing a summary of photographic culture activities in Japan over so many years. As such, it is a resource widely used not only in photography-related industries in Japan, but also by government agencies, media organizations, and educational institutions and is well-received in various circles. The Journal of the Photographic Society of Japan is a quarterly publication issued in February, May, August, and November. Articles in each issue introduce timely news of the Society¡Çs activities and future plans, as well as a diversity of information relating to photographic culture. During 2007 volumes 428 to 431 were published. In addition, a photographic catalogue summarizing the events of the Month of Photography, Tokyo is produced every year to coincide with this event. The 2007 catalogue includes introductory greetings from Taro Aso, Minister of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency, Mr. Hemat Krishan Singh, the Ambassador of India to Japan; Shintaro Ishihara, Governor of Tokyo; Yoshiharu Fukuhara, Director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography; and Masayuki Muneyuki, Chairman of the Month of Photography, Tokyo, Executive Committee and Photographic Society of Japan Chairman. The 2007 edition also features introductions and commentaries on representative works in the domestic exhibition ¡ÈPortraits of Tokyo¡É; the international exhibition ¡ÈPhotographers in Asia 2007: India¡É; a report on ¡ÈThe Memorial Contest of Annual Day of Photography, 2007 Awards Exhibition¡É and introduction of award-winning works; a report on ¡ÈThe 1,000 Photographers¡Ç Show: My Best Shot¡É; and introductions of awardees and their works featured in the ¡ÈPhotographic Society of Japan Awards Exhibition of Prize-Winning Works¡É. In this way, the catalogue provides a comprehensive record of the Month of Photography, Tokyo 2007. 5. International Exchange through Photography At the request of His Excellency Mr. Hisham Badr, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan, for cultural exchange between Japan and Egypt through photography, a photographic tour of Egypt was conducted in 2006 and a photographic exhibition of the works from this tour was held in June at the Aidem Photo Gallery Sirius. Again in 2007, 29 works from the ¡ÈSirius¡É exhibition were selected and displayed at the Cairo Opera House in a jointly held art exhibition entitled ¡ÈEgypt through Japanese Eyes: Art Exhibition of Sights in Egypt¡É (March 26th-April 5th), which was attended by Photographic Society of Japan International Exchange Committee member Osam Hiraki. Following the exhibition¡Çs conclusion, 68 works, including others that had been displayed in the ¡ÈSirius¡É exhibition, were donated at the request of the Egyptian Government to the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. 6. Implementation of Photography and Film Classes for Children As a means of visual communication, it is important that people experience the ¡Èsurprise and fascination¡É as well as the ¡Èexcitement and enjoyment¡É of photographic expression from when they are sensitive children. Since the booklet ¡ÈPhotography is Fun!¡É was published in March of the year before last, photography/imaging classes have been continuing for two years now. Based on the experience gained in these classes, an Instructors¡Ç Manual has been compiled, and class content has been enriched, with unique simplified enlargers made using wood and a flashlight used to enable children to easily experience mono-color 8¡ß10 inch prints anywhere, anytime. In light of these improvements, the Photographic Society of Japan has been actively enhancing instructors¡Ç skills and expanding classes nationwide. Photography/imaging classes have not only been held in the Tokyo area, but also in Nagoya, Osaka, Shizuoka, Nagano, and various other regions nationwide, and in some places have been incorporated into the elementary/middle school program as after-school enrichment classes. Moreover, the ¡ÈPhotography is Fun!¡É booklet is also being utilized in Mongolia, Cambodia, New York (USA), and other locations overseas. Class instructors mainly comprise Photographic Society of Japan members, with the circle expanding with the cooperation of recipients of Photo Master EX accreditation promoted by the Kokusai Bunka College and students of the Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences. The Photography/Imaging Education Promotion Committee of the Photographic Society of Japan intends to take seriously children¡Çs innocent ¡Èsurprise and excitement¡É, strengthening our activities to further spread opportunities for children to experience the ¡Èenjoyment and joy¡É of handmade photographs. 7. Support for the Abilympics Since 2005, the Photographic Society of Japan has been approached each year for cooperation by the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, and has therefore provided support in the setting of details, tasks, and organization of Photography contest for the National Abilympics. Held once every 4 years, the International Abilympics were held in 2007 in conjunction with the International Skills Festival for All between November 14th and 18th in Shizuoka Prefecture. Some 26 athletes from 15 countries throughout the world participated in the event, and the Photographic Society of Japan also cooperated in the judging, with Director Shigeru Chatani acting as Chief Judge, Director Isao Uchida acting as an Event Specialist Judge, and 4 other Society members acting as assistants. 8. Agency for Cultural Affairs Scholarships and Overseas Exchange Student Awards Each year, the Agency for Cultural Affairs provides scholarships for a select group of Japanese trainees wishing to study overseas and overseas trainees wishing to study in Japan. As part of its international activities, the Photographic Society of Japan acts as application and nomination window for candidate trainees in the photography field for Agency for Cultural Affairs scholarships in the Fine Arts category. Three candidates were selected for the 2007 overseas trainee dispatch: Mr. Akiyoshi Tani (1 year), Mr. Tsukasa Yokozawa (1 year), and Ms. Mari Miki (2 years). Mr. Tani is studying in the Netherlands at the Leiden University-affiliated Print Cabinet/Study and Documentation Centre for Photography (SDCF), receiving training in photography production, preservation management and display based on the history and critique of photography and imaging, and acquiring knowledge and skills with regard to classical photographic techniques. Mr. Yokozawa is undergoing training at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York, USA, reexamining photographic history up until the present through exposure to photographic collections in New York¡Çs art galleries, including that of the ICP, and creating a series of works to be entitled ¡ÈParallel Lives¡É. Ms. Miki is studying at the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in ¡ÈThe 5th Cycle of the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation¡É program held jointly by George Eastman House and the Rochester Institute of Technology-affiliated Image Permanence Institute. Her studies include history of photography in terms of technique and expression; identification of photographic imagery techniques; photograph deterioration mechanisms; environment for photograph conservation; procedures for photograph preservation and restoration; normative concepts in restoration; and application of historical photographic techniques. There were no overseas applicants selected for study in Japan in 2007. 9. Exhibition Sponsorship The Photographic Society of Japan sponsors photographic exhibitions that are held under the auspices of government, academic, mass media, and photography-related organizations and that contribute to the promotion of culture, education, and international exchange. In 2007, the Society sponsored the many outstanding exhibitions and events listed below. ¡¦ ¡È20th A Roadside Scene: Photo Contest¡É ¡¦ Yoichiro Yamashita Exhibition: ¡ÈJapanese Flowers¡É March 17th to April 7th; DRIK GALLERY (Dhaka, Bangladesh) ¡¦ Photo Imaging Expo 2007 March 22nd to 25th; Tokyo Big Sight ¡¦ ¡ÈPhoto City Sagamihara 2007¡É Various locations throughout Sagamihara; Shinjuku Nikon Salon ¡¦ Note Pencil Supporters (NPS) ¡ÈPhotographs of Asia¡Çs Children¡É Exhibition May 18th to June 1st; Meguro Ward Office Building ¡¦ Peace Photographed by the World¡Çs Children in ¡ÈThe Earth is Our Classroom¡É Using QuickSnap Cameras May 25th to 31st; Fuji Photo Salon Tokyo June 19th to 30th; Fuji Photo Salon Fukuoka July 13th to 25th; Fuji Photo Salon Sendai August 3rd to 8th; Fuji Photo Salon Sapporo September 21st to 26th; Fuji Photo Salon Nagoya October 19th to 25th; Fuji Photo Salon Osaka November 9th to 21st; Sunpu Fujichrome Gallery ¡¦ Around-China Photographic Coverage and the ¡ÈChina 2008¡É Photographic Exhibition June to December; various locations in China ¡¦ ¡ÈWorld Press Photo 2007¡É June 16th to August 5th; Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography and other venues ¡¦¡È23rd Higashikawa International Photographic Festival: Photo Fiesta 2007 July 25th to August 27th; Higashikawa, Hokkaido ¡¦ ¡ÈGovernment-Managed Park Photo Contest¡É October1st to 31st (call for entries) Late October (winners announced at the National Urban Greening Convention and exhibition of works at government-managed parks) ¡¦ Yokohama International Photojournalism Festival September 3rd to 16th; Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse No. 1 ¡¦ ¡ÈJapan Through Diplomats¡Ç Eyes 2007: Japan and Beyond through Diplomats¡Ç Eyes¡É October 27th to November 6th; Ginza Mikimoto 6F Mikimoto Hall November 16th to 26th; Nagoya Central Gallery December 14th to 25th; Umeda Sky Building Sky Gallery ¡¦ Commemoration of Japan¡Çs 160-year Photographic Legacy and 150-year Photographic Success: Old Photograph-related Activities Program November 9th to 18th; Nagasaki University, Nagasaki Hamaya 5th Floor Event Hall ¡¦ ¡È4th DAYS JAPAN International Photojournalism Awards¡É ¡¦ ¡È23rd All-Japan Sight-Impaired Photographic Exhibition¡É December 6th to 11th; Shinjuku Monolith Building

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