1. IDEALS AND OBJECTIVES The spread of infectious diseases presents a common threat to all humankind. Mindful that Africa faces this scourge most acutely, the Government of Japan established the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize in July 2006 in memory of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1929) whose belief in medical advancement and self-sacrificing activities in Africa remains a beacon of inspiration to all. Guided by these ideals, the Prize aims to honour individuals with outstanding achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services to combat infectious and other diseases in Africa, thus contributing to the health and welfare of the African people and of all humankind.

2. WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ?

 Candidates’ achievements in the fields of medical research and medical services will be evaluated in the context of contribution to the fight against infectious and other diseases in Africa. In the field of medical services in particular, it is required that the activities concerned be based in Africa.
 No distinction will be made according to nationality, age or gender.
 The Prize will be limited to people still living or to heads of active organizations.

3. HOW OFTEN ? This Prize will be awarded every five years to coincide with the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

4. VALUE OF THE AWARD

The Prize has been tentatively set at approximately 100 million Yen. The exact amount of the Prize money will be determined in accordance with the financial arrangements to be decided later.

5. PROCESS OF SELECTION

The selection process for the Prize will consist of two steps, namely : (a) the recommendation of candidates by two sub-Committees to be established under the auspices of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Regional Office for Africa of the World Health Organization (AFRO) which will be responsible for the two areas respectively ; and (b) finalization of the candidate(s) by the Hideyo Noguchi Prize of Africa Committee to be referred to the Prime Minister of Japan for final decision.

6. WHAT NEXT ?

Members of the "Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize" Committee and the two Sub-Committees will be consolidated by the end of March 2007. In the meantime, nomination invitations will be sent out to various individuals and organizations worldwide by the end of March, with a view to announcing the awardee(s) in March 2008 and holding the first award ceremony on the occasion of TICAD IV in the first half of 2008.

The Government of Japan is exploring the possibility of cooperation with various public and private entities, such as the African Union (AU), the government of Ghana and the Rockefeller Foundation which have expressed commitment to and interest in the promotion of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize. Source : Abe Cabinet, april 26, 2007