The Nikkei Asia Prize is an award which recognizes the achievements of people and organizations that have improved the lives of people throughout Asia. The awards were created and presented by Nikkei Inc, one of the largest media corporations in Japan.
Launched in 1996, the program honors people in Asia who have made significant contributions in one of the three areas: regional growth; science, technology and innovation; and culture.
The category for regional growth (Economic and Business Innovation) is designed to recognize business and economic initiatives that improve living standards and stability in their regions. This could be entrepreneurs who have successfully developed industries and businesses due to innovation.
The category for science, technology and environment was established to recognize scientific researches and technological innovations in various fields.
The category for Culture is designed to recognize people who have made a difference in their countries and Asia through cultural, artistic or educational activities.
Nikkei Asia Prize Winners for Regional Growth:
1996: Prof. Dr. Widjojo Nitisastro
1997: Dr. Manmohan Singh
1998: Mr. Ni Runfeng
1999: Mr. Shi Wen-long
2000: Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi
2001: Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy
2002: Prof. Dr. Võ Tòng Xuân
2003: Mr. Lee Hun-jai
2004: Dr. Muhammad Yunus
2005: Dr. Morris Chang
2006: Ms. Olivia Lum
2007: Mr. Mechai Viravaidya
2008: The Center of Legal Assistance to Pollution Victims in China at China University of Political Science and Law
2009: Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
2010: Mr. Tony Fernandes
2011: Mr. Antonio Meloto
2012: Mr. Yang Yong
2013: Mr. Truong Gia Binh
2014: Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty
2015: Ms. Mai Kieu Lien
Nikkei Asia Prize Winners for Science, Technology and Innovation:
1996: Prof. Yuan Longping
1997: Dr. Hyung Sup Choi
1998: Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM)
1999: Prof. Zhao Qiguo
2000: Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (Singapore)
2001: Dr. Ho-Wang Lee
2002: The Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
2003: Dr. Yang Huanming
2004: Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong
2005: Prof. Ko Myoung Sam
2006: Mr. Philip Yeo
2007: Mr. Chang Chun-yen
2008: Dr. C.N.R. Rao
2009: Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
2010: Dr. Chen Ding-shinn
2011: Dr. Maw-Kuen Wu
2012: Dr. Chi-Huey Wong
2013: Mr. Tejraj Aminabhav
2014: Dr. George Fu Gao
2015: Dr. Yifang Wang
Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture:
1996: Mrs. Dara Kanlaya
1997: Prof. José Maceda
1998: Mr. Kim Jeong Ok
1999: Mr. Dang Nhat Minh
2000: Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri
2001: The Nepal Bhasa Dictionary Committee
2002: Mrs. Christine Hakim
2003: Ms. Urvashi Butalia
2004: Prof. Albert Wendt
2005: Mr. Guo Dalie
2006: Ms. Sophiline Cheam Shapiro
2007: Mr. Gopal Venu
2008: Mr. Ahn Sung-ki
2009: Dr. Laretna T. Adishakti
2010: Mr. Manteb Soedharsono
2011: Mr. Bảo Ninh
2012: Ms. Sybil Wettasinghe
2013: Mr. Vann Molyvann
2014: Mae Fah Luang Foundation
2015: Asian Youth Orchestra
