Kazuyoshi Nomachi (Photographer/Chairman of the Japan Professional Photographers Association)

As an overall impression, the previous submissions had many themes such as cuteness, bonds, and people-to-people connections, but this time there were some unique photos, and I felt the depth of the photos. I think about it every time, but in the essay section, serious themes that face life are the mainstream, but in the case of photography, there are more positive photographs such as the praise of life, and this balance between essay and photo is good. is not it. However, I think there should be more photographic works that take a step forward in facing life, as seen in the essays.
The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award , "Kimida Are", is my most favorite and heartwarming work among animal photographs. The expression of the baby goat on its knees facing the baby is full of curiosity and loveliness. The composition of the two goats and the baby is also good, and you can feel the depth of the barn.
The Japan Medical Association Award "Blissful Time" is a full-fledged descaling Mizugori It is a realistic piece wearing a costume. Whether it be a grandchild or a grandpa, it is overflowing with the sincere feelings of a grandpa who wants his two children to grow up in good health. It would be great if children could see this photo in the future and have an opportunity to feel the bond of the family again.
The Yomiuri Shimbun Prize "Birth" is a rare scene of a deer giving birth in Nara Park. How lucky to meet the definitive birth scene in the corner of an ordinary park against a dark green background. Mother deer eat the amniotic sac and placenta after giving birth because the smell attracts predators.
The jury's special prize, "Tall!", was taken from below while lying down, and the wide-angle shot of the sky made it a spacious and relaxed work. The flowing clouds and the smiles of children are wonderful.
"Haru no Ichiban" is a rare scene of fox cubs wrestling in the wilderness of Hokkaido. I was impressed with how well they were able to get this close to wild foxes. It is a heartwarming scene like the world of fairy tales.
"Autumn porch" is an everyday scene that has been handed down from generation to generation on the porch of farming villages. Slightly old shoji screens give a sense of life and warmth. Grandma's hands peeling persimmons are wonderful.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award , "Fall in the Countryside," is hidden in a corner of the warehouse, and it must be a scene of being at a loss. It is a piece that makes you think about where you are going, whether you met the parent bird or whether it grew up safely.

■ Mitsuaki Iwago (animal photographer)

As an overall impression, I thought that there are photographs that can be taken precisely because of this difficult time. Everyone's photos overflowed with the feeling of thinking about important things and dear people. I'm fine. Thank you very much.
The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award "Kimida Are" loses its cheeks when it comes to contact between living creatures, especially small ones, and it doesn't care about evaluation (laughs). By capturing the moment when an infant and a young goat look at each other, it is a photograph that makes you feel the world of small people and the irresistible cuteness.
The Japan Medical Association Award “Blissful Time” transforms the first-time surprises and confusion into a wonderful experience when there are adults you can trust. The splash of water, the powerful body and smile of a man. These children will one day grow up. It is a photograph that makes you feel the flow of time.
As for the Yomiuri Shimbun Award "Birth", I took many pictures of deer in Nara Park, so I know how difficult and rare it is to take such pictures. A picture that can't be taken easily. The birth of living things is a moving photograph that shakes people's hearts.
The judges' special prize, "Tall!", is the cute expression of a child who is bathed in the sunlight under the blue sky, and the angle of the person looking up from the feet looks like a strong giant. I'm showing it to This is a picture that will make you hear happy laughter.
In "Haru no Ichiban" , the foxes are hugging each other, and their expressions are also good. I'm sure it's right next to the burrow, but it looks relieved. You can see the love and bond.
"Autumn porch" is rarely seen with a single peel of a persimmon. Ripe persimmons are soft and difficult to peel.
In the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award , "Inaka no Aki," a sparrow that has probably just left the nest, whose wings are not yet strong, is standing under the eaves with a slightly nervous look and an expression that says, "I hope I won't be found." On the other hand, the photographer, out of concern for the sparrow, gently approached it. I feel the importance of the life of the little sparrow, as I can feel the feelings of taking care of living things.

Moka Kamishiraishi (Actress)

As an overall impression, I received a strong message from each work, and I myself was given an opportunity to think deeply about life. I felt that photographs sometimes have a power that surpasses words. I am looking forward to the next work that will make us feel the possibilities of photography.
The Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award "Kimida Are" has a miraculous and heartwarming composition in which a small child and a kid goat seem to be communicating with each other. It is a work that makes you feel that the same time is certainly flowing between humans and animals, even though their shapes and blood flow are different.
I felt that the Japan Medical Association Award "Blissful Time" was a piece with a sense of dynamism, as if splashes of water and voices could fly all the way to me. Pure white on dark tone background loincloth Loincloth or clothes Gyoi is vivid and gives a powerful impression. I also felt themes such as tradition and inheritance.
The Yomiuri Shimbun Award "Birth" is a piece that makes you think deeply about the birth of life. I feel wonderful that I was able to witness and capture this precious moment. The eyes of the parent deer staring at the fawn are very strong, and you can feel the beginning of the story.
The jury's special prize, "Highly Tall!", had a very unique idea and composition, and I was drawn to it the moment I saw it. By filling most of the image with blue, I think the magnificence of the sky is wonderfully expressed. It is a work that conveys messages such as hope, flapping wings, and infinite possibilities.
"Haru no Ichiban" is a very lovely piece, and I felt that the joy of the arrival of spring was well expressed. It looks as if the foxes are embracing, and you will be thrilled with the picture book-like world.
In "Autumn Engawa" , the color of the dried persimmons hanging on the porch gives a calm impression to the whole picture, and it is a work that makes you feel the beauty of the four seasons in Japan. It's nice that you captured the natural look so well.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award , "Fall in the countryside" is a work that has a good rough feel that captures the casual moments of everyday life, and has the scent of life. The sparrow's moist, round eyes are well captured, and even though it is small, you can feel the richness of life.