Digital Garage shares its history with the Internet. Digital Garage always had the First Penguin Spirit mindset of striving towards new challenges without fear of failure, and continue to cultivate new businesses. The “First Penguin” is the first penguin that courageously jumps into the ocean in search of food, despite the possibility of encountering dangerous predators. The "Digital Garage First Penguin Award" is awarded to those who embody the First Penguin Spirit. This award was established to honor those who actively contribute to the world through their participation in technology, art, culture, or sports, and their contribution in fostering the next generation to inherit their spirit.
The award logo was designed to embody the First Penguin diving into the waters. With an emphasis on simplicity, the logo is meant to represent a medal. The trophy is also inspired by a penguin that is jumping off of an iceburg.
Selected based on Mr. Sakamoto’s contribution to society and dedication to nurturing the future generation through the use of cutting-edge technology in his music and his creative challenges that defy the boundaries of the Internet.
2017 RecipientMr. Ryuichi Sakamoto
AWARD RECIPIENT'S MESSAGE
"I want to continue diving into the ocean
from the edge of the iceberg."
Since his debut, Ryuichi Sakamoto has brought cutting edge technology to the global
music scene by conducting Japan's first ever Internet concert and utilizing social media for the
"skmtSocial Project", as well as other creative initiatives that rode the wave of the Internet which
exceeded existing frameworks in the process. In recent years, he has founded charity organizations such
as the forest preservation project "more Trees" and the "School Music Revival" Fund, which raised money
to inspect and repair the musical instruments owned by kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high
schools affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. After completing the instrument repair
efforts, he founded the "Tohoku Youth Orchestra" that has continued to use music to support recovery
efforts in the Tohoku region. Mr. Sakamoto has also organized television and web video programs where he
spreads the joy of music through discussions, instructions, and performances. It was this ability to
break new ground with his creativity and his efforts to communicate his experiences to audiences around
the world that led us to select him for the Digital Garage First Penguin Award 2017.
The ceremony
was held on August 29, 2017.
Nomination based on Mr. Honda's ability to go beyond his profession as a football player by proactively encouraging the next generation to succceed and contribute to society through his personal experiences and global perspective.
2016 First RecipientMr. Keisuke Honda
AWARD RECIPIENT'S MESSAGE
"You can’t score a goal if you never took a shot.
Learn from your missed shots and
never be afraid to fail."
The first ever Digital Garage First Penguin Award was presented Mr. Keisuke Honda, a successful professional football player who puts emphasis on the development of the next generation. Mr. Honda actively plays as a member of the Japanese national football team and A.C. Milan, one of the world's greatest football clubs. While being a lead player, he also became a businessperson when he acquired the SV Horn of Austrian third division in 2015. He also runs "SOLTILO FAMILIA SOCCER SCHOOL," having 60 schools nationwide for kindergarten and elementary school children, aiming to foster "world-class football players" in Japan. He also manages four teams for junior high school students and one for high school students. These activities and attitude to foster younger generations through his global perspective and experience shows that he goes beyond the label of professional football player; therefore, Digital Garage believed that he is the best candidate for the first ever Digital Garage First Penguin Award. The First Penguin Award ceremony took place in July 2016 during Digital Garage's THE NEW CONTEXT CONFERENCE 2016 TOKYO.
Copyright © 2017 Digital Garage, Inc. All rights reserved.
