25th | Support for "A Brief Message from the Heart" Letter Contest | Sponsorships | About Public Affairs Committee

Support for "A Brief Message from the Heart" Letter Contest

Since 1995 we have supported this contest, begun by the Maruoka-cho Cultural Foundation in Fukui Prefecture. We support this event mainly for the following two reasons. First, the contest features the spirit common to our message: Passing important values from people to people. Second, Maruoka-cho is where Masatomo Sumitomo, our founder, was born.

26th “A Brief Message from the Heart” Letter Contest Award Ceremony

The award ceremony for the 26th “A Brief Message from the Heart” Letter Contest was held at the Takamuku Community Center in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, on April 21, 2019. In this annual contest sponsored by Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee, contestants compete by writing memorable short letters on a given theme.

The 2018 competition’s theme was “Teacher” and the 160 award-wining letters, which were announced in January, were honored (5 Grand Prizes, 10 Excellence Awards, 20 Sumitomo Awards, etc.).

Five students from the Maruoka Minami Junior High School of Sakai City read the top award-winning letters. As the author of each letter appeared on the podium, the feelings expressed in his or her letter touched the hearts of the audience and the venue charged with the emotion. Each of the winners was presented with a certificate made of the local Echizenori textile.

The selection committee commenting on this year’s letters

A contestant receiving a Sumitomo Award from Ryuichiro Hirano of the Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee

26th "A Brief Message from the Heart" Letter Contest Winners Announced

An event to announce winners of the 26th "A Brief Message from the Heart" Letter Contest was held at the Takamuku Community Center in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, on January 25, 2019. In this annual contest sponsored by Sumitomo Group Public Affairs Committee, contestants compete by writing memorable short letters on a given theme.

The 2018 competition's theme was "Teacher," and 160 letters were honored (5 Grand Prizes, 10 Excellence Awards, 20 Sumitomo Awards, etc.) from 39,468 letters. At the venue, four students from Maruoka South Junior High School of Sakai City read the award-winning letters, which were notable for their illuminating insights on this theme.

Over 1 Million Cumulative Entries

The cumulative entries to "A Brief Message from the Heart" Letter Contest," including those to its predecessor held 10 times from 1993 onward, exceeded one million (1,005,226 letters) on April 19, 2009.