Greeting from the Sponsor City of Kobe, Masahide Miyoshi

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As you know, the city of Kobe suffered terrible devastation in the earthquake of January 1995. Many of you here today probably experienced the disaster firsthand yourselves. The issue we faced in its aftermath was, how do we rebuild the city after such a disaster?, and a core project that is now moving forward as a result of our discussions on this theme is the Kobe International Multimedia and Entertainment City plan, known as KIMEC. In a nutshell, this project is aimed at rebuilding Kobe through the development of new industries. Animation Kobe, today in its third year, was started to promote the animation industry, and in fact the City of Kobe was the first in Japan to shine a spotlight in this way on commercial animation. We aim through this event to bring top-class works and their creators to Kobe, and to make Kobe the gateway for them to international recognition and success. Animation Kobe has a threefold purpose: to honor distinguished artists and works through the presentation of awards, to promote digital animation, through such activities as today's forum, and to develop new talents, through such activities as the workshops being held this year in Shiawase-no-Mura. Today's forum brings together professionals active at the very front lines of the animation industry, and I believe that Animation Kobe is unique in having these top-level talents come together like this. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people from the animation industry for their cooperation, and all the corporations who have provided us with support, in making this forum possible. We have an exciting day planned for you ahead, and I hope you enjoy every minute of it. And that concludes my greeting -- thank you for your kind attention.