Japanese broadcaster TBS/JNN received the Frontier Award in the reporting activity category at the 63rd Galaxy Awards [1].
The recognition highlights the critical role of terrestrial broadcasting in preserving historical memory as the era of direct war witnesses ends. By focusing on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the network aimed to prevent the erosion of public memory regarding the conflict.
The award was granted to the network for its program titled "War after 80 years project: Connect, Connecting" [1]. The Galaxy Awards judging committee said the project boldly tackled the issue of memory erosion, expanded the possibilities of journalism, and demonstrated the proper direction for terrestrial broadcasting [2].
To achieve this scope, the network produced more than 150 war-related special reports during the past year [3]. These reports focused on bridging the gap between the experiences of survivors and younger generations through immersive storytelling and investigative journalism.
The Galaxy Awards are among Japan's most prestigious honors for broadcasting and media, recognizing excellence in programming and innovation. The 63rd awards cycle covered the 2025 fiscal year [1].
While some initial reports suggested other campaigns—including coverage of the Hyogo governor election—received awards, the official records from the judging committee and MSN Japan specifically identify the war memory project as the recipient of the Frontier Award [1, 2].
“The project boldly tackled the issue of memory erosion, expanded the possibilities of journalism.”
The award underscores a shift in Japanese media toward active historical preservation. As the generation that experienced World War II diminishes, the responsibility for maintaining a factual record of the war shifts from living memory to archival and journalistic efforts. This recognition suggests that the industry views high-volume, dedicated project-based reporting as the primary method to combat historical amnesia in the digital age.
