Cultural Bridge Awards

Since 1998 the Company has been presenting its Cultural Bridge Award to distinguished individuals who have contributed to cultural exchange between the U.S. and Japan.

New York and Tokyo are sister cities, and these awards recognize artists from both cities who have made a significant mark on the culture of the world.

Recipients of the Award (1998 - 2008)

2008: Eleventh Awards:  April 24 2008

  • Celeste Holm Oscar winning actress, for her past 10 years’ Gala Chair
    and for her superb narration introducing Junihitoe, asumptuous Japanese ancient robe
  • Ralph Samuelson Executive Director, Asian Cultural Council, for cultural exchange programs
  • Ms. Noriko Sengoku for work behind the scenes in bringing Japanese artists to the U.S.

Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai, Consul General of Japan in New York, will be present at this event as the Honorary Chairperson of the Award Gala. 

2007: Tenth Awards: March 14, 2007

  • Frederick Baekeland
    Art Historian and Specialist in Japanese Art
  • Sinichi Hirabayashi President & CEO
    The Mitsui USA Foundation: A Leading Japanese Good Corporate Citizen
  • Ohashi Director of Ohashi Institute
    created Ohashiatsu® Touch for Peace in the U.S. and world wide

2006: Ninth Awards: April 26, 2006

  • The Tokyo String Quartet
  • Prof. Barbara Ruch: Professor of Japanese Literature and Culture, and Director of the Institute for Medieval Japanese Studies, at Columbia University
  • Nobuyoshi Kuraoka: Owner of the Nippon Restaurant and pioneer of traditional Japanese cuisine

2005 Eighth Awards: April 13, 2005

  • Mr. Eikoh Hosoe: Photographer, Director, Kiyosato Museum of Photographic Arts
  • Mr. John Wheeler: former Executive Vice President, Japan Society
  • Yuriko: former Principal of Martha Graham Dance Company, Director, Choreographer, Educator, Coach

2004 Seventh Awards: April 28, 2004

  • Mr. Gen Horiuchi: Former Principal, NYC Ballet and Artistic Director, Saint Louis Ballet
  • Mr. Harold Prince: Director/Producer
  • Rev. Eido T. Shimano: Zen Master of Dai Bosatsu Zendo and Shobo-Ji

2003 Sixth Awards: March 26, 2003

  • Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi: Jazz Pianist and Composer
  • Mr. Rocky Aoki: Pioneer Japanese Restaurant for Americans
  • Mr. Masayuki Suo: Director of the film “Shall We Dance?”

2002 Fifth Awards: April 26, 2002

  • Mr. Ping Chong: Theatre Artist
  • Midori: Violinist
  • Ms. Sahomi Tachibana: Traditional Japanese Dance Performer and Teacher

2001 Fourth Awards: March 13, 2001

  • Ms. Kazuko Hirabayashi: Faculty: Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, The Juilliard School and SUNY at Purchase
  • Maestro Kurt Masur: Music Director Emeritus, New York Philharmonic
  • Ms. Nobuko Cobi Narita: President, Universal Jazz Coalition

2000 Third Awards: April 17, 2000

  • Ms. Takako Asakawa: Former Principal Dancer, Martha Graham Dance Company
  • Prof. Donald Keene: Professor Emeritus, Columbia University
  • Master Hisashi Yamada: Master of Tea Ceremony, Urasenke

1999 Second Awards: April 6, 1999

  • Mr. Masazumi Chaya: Associate Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
  • Ms. Beate Sirota Gordon: Director Emeritus, Performing Arts Department, Asia Society
  • Ms. Kiharu Nakamura: Shinbashi Geisha

1998 First Awards: February 2, 1998

  • Mrs. Mary Griggs Burke: Patron of Japanese Art
  • Mr. Makoto Deguchi: Producer, Blue Man Group: Tubes
  • Mr. Kazuto Ohira: Former Representative, Toho International and Chairman, International Cultural Production