For the Japan Festival 2023, we held an Illustration Contest for the second time – this time with the theme of “Smile together”. The first prize winner’s artwork has now become the key visual of this year’s festival.

The winner of our Illustration Contest is Mavelyn De Jesus. Congratulations!

This illustration is an expression of her wish to “spread some happiness to the world together”. Mavelyn’s work will now become the key visual of this year’s festival!

Thank you all so much for your submissions for the Japan Festival 2023 Illustration Contest.

The submitted works were all so embracing with a cordial warmth, in such way that they would naturally relax our cheeks to form a smile. It has certainly been difficult for the jury members to select one particular work.

This year we would like to award the Best Prize to the work of Ms. Mavelyn De Jesus, of which the straightforward looks in the eyes of the children holding each other’s hands left a grasping impression on us. Our warmest congratulations!

We would like to express our utmost gratitude to everyone by whom we were blessed to receive their sincere and heartfelt work. We look very forward to seeing you all at the Japan Festival.

Akihiko Sekiguchi
Chairman of the Japan Festival Foundation

The Japan Festival Illustration Contest 2022