Head Judge

Mr. Kouho Yamashina

Creative director and producer. Working primarily in advertising and video production, he handles a wide range of creative work, including global brand campaigns, TV commercials and music videos, museum content production, and branding for local governments. At AdFest, one of Asia's largest advertising festivals, the LED lighting commercial "Firefly Man," which he produced, won the Grande, the top award in the Film category. He has also received numerous domestic and international advertising awards, including at Cannes Lions, D&AD, Clio, ACC, and the Japan Media Arts Festival.
In 2021, he founded the creative boutique "CAMOUFLAGE inc.," where he serves as Co-President alongside Hiroki Ishiyama. While at Geek Pictures Inc., he was involved in Nishiaizu Town's PR video and PR poster projects in FY2016–2017, and served as creative producer for "The Japanese Countryside, Nishiaizu Town." He continues to focus on video advertising and branding for major companies and other clients.

Judge

Mr. Katsuhiro Noguchi

Photographer, born in Inawashiro Town, Fukushima Prefecture. Driven by the wish to "bring smiles to people around the world through the beauty of Fukushima's flowers," he created the "Fukushima Flowers" series, sharing Fukushima's nature and charm both in Japan and abroad.
In 2012, his work was featured at the Japan Pavilion of the Floriade international horticultural exposition in the Netherlands, and from 2014 to 2016 it was adopted as the main image for JR East's Fukushima tourism campaign "Fuku ga Mankai, Fuku no Shima." In 2016, he also produced the aircraft design for ANA's "Tohoku Flower Jet." He has developed a wide range of activities that make the most of his flower photography.
He has held numerous photo exhibitions in Japan and abroad, and has received the Grand Prix in the Still Photo category at the 35th Nikon Photo Contest and the Arts and Culture Award of the 26th Fukushima Minyu Shimbun "Minyu Kenmin Taisho." His publications include "Fukushima Flowers" and "Koko wa Hana no Shima" (This Is an Island of Flowers). He is a member of the Japan National Press Club.

Judge

Mr. Koichi Suzuki

Photo shop and studio, Suzutoyo. After graduating from Kitakata Prefectural High School in 1961, he studied under photographer Ryo Yasutake in Chiba. He returned home a few years later, worked in the family business, and took it over around 1973.
He has spent many years photographing and documenting the region's scenery and culture. A member of the Photographic Society of Japan, its Fukushima chapter, the Fukushima Photography Club, and Aizu Pro Photo, he is active in photography throughout Fukushima Prefecture, and also serves as a contest judge and in various positions for related organizations.

Judge

Mr. Yoshihiro Yabe

Landscape designer, born in Nishiaizu Town in 1978. Graduated top of his class from the Master's program in Landscape Architecture at the University of Manitoba. With roots in Nishiaizu Town, he is the 19th-generation steward of a mountain village with roughly 360 years of continuous history.
He works on community development that makes use of local resources, including as director of "NIPPONIA Narayama Village," a distributed, village-stay-style hotel in traditional houses, and of the "Nishiaizu International Art Village." Drawing on culture and ways of life passed down since ancient times, he explores and puts into practice new approaches to regional life and sustainable local economies. In recent years, as a Regional Revitalization Manager for the Furusato Foundation, he has also been involved in regional revitalization in other areas, working broadly in the field of community development.

Judge

Fake Japanese May. (Taiwan)

Photographer specializing in landscape photography, capturing scenery across Japan with professional technique. She is especially captivated by the Tadami Line railway running through Fukushima Prefecture, continually photographing its scenery through the seasons. Through her work, she shares the appeal of Japan's landscapes with audiences in Taiwan and beyond.
Since December 2017 she has served as a "Fukushima Prefecture Inbound Advisor," organizing themed tours such as "Photography Tours with the Experts." Her publications include "Kyoto: A Leisurely Stroll Through Time" (title translated). Since 2024 she has also been involved in Nishiaizu Town's inbound tourism initiatives for Taiwan, using photos she has taken in the town to share information with Taiwanese travelers and attract tour groups.