I have been involved with the Hoso Bunka Foundation since the day of its inception in 1974, first as a judge for the assistance grants and the HBF awards, then as a Director, and since 2005, I have served as President.  During that period, broadcasting business has rapidly broadened its field of service with the start of satellite broadcasting and Hi-Vision broadcasting, and also with the introduction of digital technology.  Consequently, broadcasting has had a significant influence on the public. 

In this environment, the HBF has consistently devoted itself to the development of broadcasting culture in Japan, by providing a support program that consists of two major categories: assistance grants and the HBF awards.  On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of its foundation in February this year, we have reviewed our achievements through the years and found that we offered assistance grants to 3421 projects in total, spending 11.95 billion yen, and nearly 500 million yen for the HBF awards.  This means, I should say, through these 35 years, we were able to return to the Japanese people approximately 12 billion yen, the same amount that NHK had contributed to establish this foundation.  The complete database of the HBF assistance grants for the last 35 years is available on this web site.  I hope you take a moment to see it.

Broadcasting is now facing a period of change.  Thanks to the digital technology, broadcasting is available in various forms of media.  But while broadcasting service continues to become more advanced, the competition with other media such as the internet is getting fiercer than ever.  Broadcasting does change its face with the improvement of technology, but the most important issue here is the content, what should be said in the program.  I believe it should be a future challenge for the HBF to explore the possibilities of how we could build and develop broadcasting culture in this digital era that has created the convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications.