Chosei Kabira awarded Galaxy Award for contribution to Okinawan media culture

Photograph: Nobuo Shiga Award recipient Chosei Kabira (left) with his son John Kabira at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo on June 1.

Chosei Kabira, the first news presenter in postwar Okinawa and the first chairman of the Okinawa Public Broadcasting System, received the Nobuo Shiga Award on June 1 at the 59th Galaxy Awards hosted by the Association of Broadcast Critics in Tokyo. The Nobuo Shiga award honors individuals and organizations that contributed to the broadcasting industry.

Kabira was honored for his contribution to establishing Okinawa’s media culture–he laid the foundation for Okinawan broadcasting under U.S. rule and brought together Japanese and Okinawan broadcasting. Looking back on his lifelong career, Kabira commented: “I am very honored to receive this prestigious award. I wish you all a long life.” His son, John Kabira, also attended the ceremony and honored his father.

Other accolades awarded to Okinawan media include the Excellence Award given to Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation’s Washita Island Orchestra – Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra Special! in the radio category; and Selection given to Okinawa Television’s Ashes: Silent Voices of the Gamafuya in the television category.

(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)

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