Canada-Japan Literary Awards Ceremony

The English-language Prize	The French-language Prize
Floating City by Kerri Sakamoto	Je suis un lieu by Jacynthe Tremblay

On December 14, the 2018 Canada-Japan Literary Awards Ceremony was held at the Ambassador’s Official Residence. The Canada-Japan Literary Awards* recognize literary excellence by Canadian writers who write on Japan, Japanese themes, or themes that promote mutual understanding between Japan and Canada. Canadian translators who translate books from Japanese into English or French are also recognized.
 
Ms. Kerri Sakamoto received this year’s English-language award for her novel “Floating City.” The French-language award was presented to Jacynthe Tremblay for her book “Je suis un lieu.” Ambassador Ishikane and Ms. Tammy Scott, Director General, Communications and Public Engagement of the Canada Council for the Arts, presented the certificates and prizes to the laureates. The publishers of the winning books, Mr. Craig Pyette of Knopf Canada and Mr. Patrick Poirier of Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, were also presented with certificates to honour their work.
 
Ambassador Ishikane, in his remarks, congratulated both authors for their impressive literary work. He also thanked them for further strengthening the bond between our two nations. This is particularly noteworthy as we celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Canada this year.

 

Ambassador Ishikane making his opening remarks	Ms. Tammy Scott, Director General, Communications and Public Engagement of the Canada Council for the Arts making her remarks
From left: Ms. Tammy Scott, Ambassador Ishikane, Ms. Kerri Sakamoto	From left: Ms. Tammy Scott, Ambassador Ishikane, Ms. Jacynthe Tremblay

From left: Mrs. Ishikane, Ms. Tammy Scott, Ambassador Ishikane, Ms. Jacynthe Tremblay, Ms. Kerri Sakamoto, Mr. Craig Pyette of Knopf Canada and Mr. Patrick Poirier of Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal

Award Ceremony

*The funds for the Canada-Japan Literary Award are financed in part by the Canada-Japan Fund, created in 1988 by the Government of Japan to further strengthen and promote the ties between the arts communities of the two countries. The Canada Council for the Arts administers the Award.
 
(Photo credit: Mr. Sam Garcia)