The Grand Prix of the '20th Century Live Love Animals Award',
has been awarded to Studio Ghibli of Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd.
　

[Here are some of the Judges comments]
Mr. Fumio IMOTO
 (Secretary General, SOCIETY for the STUDY of HUMAN ANIMAL RELATIONS):
My recommendation and nomination for the Grand Prix goes to 'filaria preventative medicines'. My reasons are that the appearance of a 'once-a-month' filaria medicine has made dog owners' lives so much easier. Up until now, this preventative medicine had to be given every day and many people could not keep up with the schedule or simply forgot. Now, because of this, filarial prevention has become a norm for pet owners. The days when I had to try so hard to convince dog owners about the importance of filaria prevention now seem far away. The invention of a more easy to take filaria preventative medicine has made this change possible.
　
Ms. Noriko SAITO
(Chief Editor, P-WELL Communications):
I personally think of 'filaria preventative medicines' very highly. Until these medicines were made available, filarial was a very frightening disease for dogs and usually a death sentence. It is impossible to imagine how they made the lives of the dog owners easier. However, from the point of view of man / animal coexistence, the privilege of winning the Grand Prix should not be confined to an issue of dogs and their owners alone. So, from this viewpoint, the work done by Studio Ghibli, about Man's relationship with Mother Nature and animals, and the importance of life was most appealing. These works not only touch the hearts of pet owners but also many other people regardless of age, gender and even nationality. The sophistication in the spirit of the works and their great influence on so many people are in keeping with the scale of the Grand Prix of the 20th Century Live Love Animals Award.
　
Ms. Sae KODAMA
(Photo-journalist):
My reasons for choosing the 'Chivas Regal' commercial
The neutral love and trust between we humans and dogs is expressed in the non-assuming copy (message) of this commercial and this moved me. To make one step forward to realize a society where Man and Animals can live together in harmony, the most fundamental thing is that each one of us takes responsibility for the lives of our dogs and cats in our own daily life.
From now on, I would like to see more of this kind of commercial in which products and commercials present only the 'ordinary' way of life for Man and Animals.
　
Ms. Moto ARIMA
(Representative, Japan Hearing Dogs for Deaf People):
I would like to say 'thank you' to those companies that introduced filarial preventative medicines. They have made an enormous contribution to dog welfare. In general, I feel it would be good if more charitable activities with the back up of corporations were to be nominated.。
　
General Comments from Knots
For deciding a winner for the Grand Prix, both filarial medicines and the work from Studio Ghibli received equal points. Then after a revote by Ms. Kodama, the only judge who originally recommended the CM Section, Studio Ghibli was selected as the final winner. Studio Ghibli's distinguishing point was just as Ms. Saito commented. When we remember that so many people lost their dogs to filaria, filarial preventative medicines can be described as a savior for the 20th century's dog lovers. The many nominations we received were all very convincing.

We are already receiving nominations at a level that matches the 2001 Awards nominations. We sense that there is a hope that many corporate activities incorporate the point of view of Man and Animals co-living. We look forward to receiving many more recommendations for the nominations.
　
　
　
Other nominations are here.