The Hoso Bunka Foundation (HBF) will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year (2014).  Now looking back, I was once one of those awarded HBF’s very first grant for my research on the “Legal System for Broadcasting”. 

In 2011, the HBF made a new start as a public interest incorporated foundation, and it has been a great honor for me to serve as President since then.  Although facing the revision of law and tough environment at home and abroad, I would continue to devote myself to improve its three major programs: providing awards, offering grants and training human resources. 

Today, the broadcast industry is in the all-digital era in which broadcast and communication are connected with each other and converged.  In addition, the disaster of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami has caused us again to question about the role of broadcast media and the quality of programming content. 

In these times, I strongly believe that the long-standing existence and accumulated activities of the foundation will broadly contribute to the development and improvement of broadcasting culture.  I look forward to your further support and guidance for the HBF.