Comic books are no laughing matter in Japan, whose diplomats have announced an international award to promote the art — and with it, they hope, the country.
Japan said it was creating the International Manga Award for one foreign artist and three runners-up to be conferred in July.
PHOTO: EPA
Comics and cartoons, referred to as "manga" in Japan, are hugely popular among both adults and children.
"With this award, it is hoped that the understanding of Japanese culture among foreign comic artists will be further enhanced," a foreign ministry statement said.
The award will be annual and entail a visit to Japan but will not include prize money, a foreign ministry official said.
The award is the brainchild of Foreign Minister Taro Aso, a gruff 66-year-old former businessman known to be an avid manga reader.
In a speech last year, Aso called for "the equivalent of a Nobel prize in manga" and hoped recipients would feel a bond with Japan.
"Manga, as a genre originating in Japan, is truly unique in its form of presentation and expression. In manga, it is possible to depict the realities of life or convey to the reader a person's innermost thoughts," Aso said at the time.
"With all due respect to Mickey and Donald, if you look at J-pop, J-anime, or J-fashion, the competitiveness of any of these is much stronger than you might imagine."
(AFP)
在日本，漫畫書是不可玩笑視之的東西，為了推廣這項藝術，當地外交官員宣佈設立一項國際大獎，並希望藉此宣傳日本國際形象。
日方表示，針對國外優秀漫畫家成立的「國際漫畫賞」將選出一部優勝作品及三部佳作，並於七月舉行頒獎儀式。
連環漫畫與卡通（日本統稱為「漫畫」）廣受成人及兒童喜愛。
外務省在一份聲明中表示：「希望藉由這個獎項讓國外漫畫家更進一步了解日本文化。」
外務省一名官員表示，年度「國際漫畫賞」的獲勝者將應邀赴日，但不會獲頒獎金。
想出這個計畫的是現年六十六歲的外相麻生太郎，過去經商且不苟言笑的他是個超級漫畫迷。
麻生太郎去年在一場演說中呼籲設立一個「漫畫界的諾貝爾獎」，並期許獲獎者能更貼近日本。
當時麻生太郎說：「起源於日本的漫畫，呈現及表達方式自成一格。漫畫可以描繪現實生活狀況，也能傳遞個人內心深處的想法給讀者。」
「我無意冒犯米老鼠和唐老鴨，但日本流行音樂、日本動畫和日本流行時尚全都比你想像的更具競爭力。」
（法新社／翻譯：林倩如）
Have you ever dreamed of using an entire city as your training ground, effortlessly moving across walls, buildings, stairs, and obstacles? This is not just a fantasy from the movies. In cities around the world, a group of enthusiasts practice this seemingly impossible sport — “parkour.” The origins of parkour can be traced back to 20th-century France. A military officer named Georges-Hebert witnessed the incredible physical abilities of local residents in Africa, which inspired him to create the Methode Naturelle, or natural method. This training method cleverly combined climbing, running, and swimming with artificial barriers to mimic nature. Later, David Belle
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A: Who else is on Billboard’s list: “The 25 greatest pop stars of the 21st Century?” B: No. 15 to 6 are: Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Usher, Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Britney Spears. A: I can’t believe that Adele’s only at No. 10. B: No. 5 to 1 are: Lady Gaga, Drake, Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. A: Well, they surely deserve the honor. A: 《告示牌》雜誌的「21世紀最偉大的25位流行歌手」，還有誰上榜啊？ B: 第15至6名是：麥莉希拉、大賈斯汀、妮姬米娜、阿姆、亞瑟小子、愛黛兒、亞莉安娜、小賈斯汀、肯伊威斯特、小甜甜布蘭妮。 A: 真不敢相信愛黛兒只排第10名。 B: 第5至1名是：女神卡卡、德瑞克、蕾哈娜、泰勒絲、碧昂絲。 A: 這幾位真是實至名歸！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: The 21st Century is now entering its 25th year. B: So Billboard has released a list: “The 25 greatest pop stars of the 21st Century.” A: Who are the greatest pop singers? B: No. 25 to 16 are: Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Bad Bunny, One Direction, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, BTS, The Weeknd, Shakira and Jay-Z. A: Wow, my favorite K-pop supergroup BTS has made it to the list. A: 21世紀正在邁入第25個年頭了。 B: 《告示牌》雜誌特別公布：「21世紀最偉大的25位流行歌手」。 A: 最偉大的歌手有哪些？ B: 第25至16名是：凱蒂佩芮、紅髮艾德、壞痞兔、1世代、小韋恩、火星人布魯諾、防彈少年團（BTS）、威肯、夏奇拉、Jay-Z。 A: 哇，我最愛的韓流天團BTS也上榜了！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
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