Moine Maeda Miki, a 39-year-old YouTuber and third prize winner, recently returned to Japan after living in Guangzhou for about three years. Her essay recounted her experience of giving birth in China, breaking down stereotypes about the country.

"What I want to share with everyone today is something I've felt strongly during my three years in China and through my YouTube activities: many Japanese people still hold a lot of biases and misconceptions about China. That's why personal, authentic stories like the ones shared here are incredibly important. Your experiences have the power to reach others and challenge stereotypes," Moine Maeda said at the award ceremony.

"I hope that sharing my own experiences honestly and authentically will contribute, even in a small way, to fostering mutual understanding and a positive relationship between Japan and China," she added.