Professor Michito Tsuruoka of the Faculty of Policy Management has received the 47th Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities in the Politics and Economics category.
The Suntory Foundation presents the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities annually to individuals who have made original and outstanding contributions to society and culture through their writings. The prize is divided into four categories: Politics and Economics, Arts and Literature, Social Sciences and Family Studies, and Thought and History.
Since its establishment in 1979, there have been 395 recipients up to the 47th prize (FY2025). The achievements of these recipients are highly regarded for their innovative approaches to their subjects, research in interdisciplinary fields, and the pioneering of new frontiers. The presentation ceremony for the 47th prize was held in Tokyo on December 8, 2025.
Award-winning Books
NATO in Search of Itself: The Reality of the Transatlantic Alliance
By Michito Tsuruoka
War and Peace for Beginners
By Michito Tsuruoka
Professor Michito Tsuruoka's Acceptance Speech (Presentation Ceremony)
I am Michito Tsuruoka. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved for this wonderful award.
This time, two of my books were selected for the award. However, the time for my speech has not doubled and remains at three minutes, so I hope to speak at twice the speed.
"NATO in Search of Itself" and "War and Peace for Beginners" are two books with very different characters: one is a thick academic volume and the other is an introductory paperback. Nevertheless, they share common ground in their pursuit of a realistic view of international politics and security, as well as the questions of how to "decipher the world" and "what it means to analyze."
In the "Award Acceptance Statement" in the booklet you have, I also wrote that the two books are in a "complementary relationship." However, that was an afterthought. I thought of it after I was notified of the award. This award also gave me, the author, an opportunity to rethink the relationship between the two books. I am very grateful for that.
Now, around us, the movements of the Trump administration are in the news every day. It continues to be said that the security environment surrounding Japan is becoming increasingly severe, and the collapse of the international order is being discussed. Unfortunately, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine also continues. It may be enough to make one want to look away from reality, but we cannot do that. Still, we must avoid being too tossed about by it.
It is important to study history and institutions and to become knowledgeable about specific topics. That in itself is an intellectually happy endeavor. However, what I would also like to emphasize is that when you become able to grasp things structurally and decipher things for yourself based on a firm standpoint, the world opens up significantly. Even in the face of a turbulent world, you will not panic and will make fewer errors in judgment. This is the personal benefit of acquiring the ability to decipher the world and analyze it for yourself. And if the number of such people increases, social discourse should also change.
I heard that the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities is for those up to 50 years old. I turned that age on the day of the announcement, and it was the best day ever. Thank you very much. But it was really down to the wire. At the same time, I understand that the purpose of this award is to encourage the future research of up-and-coming researchers, which makes me feel a bit uneasy. However, since I am receiving it at the upper age limit, I cannot afford to speak leisurely about "future research." Rather than accepting it as an encouragement, I will prepare myself to accept it as a sort of "command" to contribute to the maintenance and development of the arts and sciences.
Some say that as a researcher, peer-reviewed English papers are more important. However, how can we protect and develop the tradition of academic publishing in Japanese? To that end, continuing to read or buy books as a reader is also an important contribution. I will continue to watch over the growth of my mountain of unread books. On the other hand, as a writer, I feel a deep sense of responsibility that I have no choice but to write good prose. I secretly hope that by winning this award for a book in the Chikuma Primer Shinsho series, even a few junior high and high school students will become interested in the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities, which in itself could immediately become a valuable contribution.
I look forward to your continued support. Thank you very much for today.
Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities: List of Winners and Selection Comments
Suntory News Release: "47th Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities Decided"
NATO in Search of Itself: The Reality of the Transatlantic Alliance (Keio University System of Multimedia Online Services)
War and Peace for Beginners (Keio University System of Multimedia Online Services)
Michito Tsuruoka, Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Faculty Profile
Source: Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) Office, General Affairs