The Symphony Hall was filled to capacity, and the audience greeted the laureates with loud applause as they appeared on the stage, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere perfectly suited to the award ceremony.

Mr. TAKASHIMA Soichiro, Mayor of Fukuoka City, addressed the audience on behalf of the organizers. He explained the significance and spirit of the Fukuoka Prize, introducing the more than one hundred past laureates and concluding with the hope that the Prize would serve to deepen exchanges among people of the Asian region and contribute to the promotion of culture, mutual understanding, and peace.

His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino then offered his congratulations to the laureates. His address was followed by the Juror's Statement by Professor KUBO Chiharu, Chair of the Fukuoka Prize Jury and President of Kyushu University. The laureates were then presented with their certificates and medals by Mayor TAKASHIMA and Mr. FUJINAGA Kenichi, Chair of the Fukuoka City International Foundation. The laureates were also presented with bouquets of flowers by children from Fukuoka International School, to resounding applause from the audience that brought smiles to their faces.

The second part of the proceedings began with a powerful rendition of Tsugaru Jongara-bushi by the Wakaba High School Tsugaru Shamisen Club. After acceptance speeches by the laureates, an interview was held, with laureates responding to questions from Fukuoka City residents submitted in advance. In closing, laureate Dr. Teejan Bai gave a performance of Pandavani, singing the climax of the battle scene from India's immortal saga, the Mahabharata. Performed to live music, it swept the audience into a superlative climax to the event.