The IMO Council has decided to award the prestigious International Maritime Prize for 2014 to Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, for his contribution to the work of IMO over many years and, in particular, his personal commitment to supporting the development of future maritime leaders and his contribution to the enhancement of safety and security in vital shipping lanes.
In particular, the Council noted Mr. Sasakawa’s long-standing dedication to maritime education and training through the initiatives of the Nippon Foundation and its unstinting support to the World Maritime University (WMU), based in Malmö, Sweden, and the IMO International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI) in Malta.
Mr. Sasakawa
Mr. Sasakawa was born in Tokyo, Japan, and joined the Nippon Foundation as a trustee in 1981. He served as President from 1989 and became Chairman on 1 July 2005. The Nippon Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation whose mission, through social innovation, is to achieve a society where all people support one another. Its overall objectives include assistance for humanitarian activities, both in Japan and overseas, and global maritime development.
Download his full biography on the Nippon Foundation website.
International Maritime Prize
The International Maritime Prize is awarded annually by the IMO to the individual or organisation judged to have made the most significant contribution to the work and objectives of the IMO. It consists of a sculpture in the form of a dolphin and includes a financial award, upon submission of a paper written on a subject relevant to IMO.
The prize will be presented to Mr. Sasakawa at a special ceremony, to be held later in the year.
