The Praemium Imperiale is awarded in the memory of
Prince Takamatsu (1905–1987), younger brother of
Emperor Shōwa who reigned from 1926 through 1989. Prince Takamatsu was famous for his longtime support of the development, promotion and progress of arts in the world. The laureates are announced each September; the prize presentation ceremony and related events are held in Tokyo, Japan, each November. The prize presentation ceremony is held in the presence of His Imperial Highness
Prince Hitachi, President of the Japan Art Association, at the in Tokyo. Prince Hitachi presents the prizes to the selected laureates. The prize consists of a gold medal and 15 million Japanese yen, and was created by the
Fujisankei Communications Group, which pays the expenses of around $3 million per year. The advisers include
Yasuhiro Nakasone,
William H. Luers,
Lamberto Dini,
François Pinault,
Chris Patten, and
Klaus-Dieter Lehmann. Honorary advisers included
Jacques Chirac,
David Rockefeller, David Rockefeller Jr.,
Helmut Schmidt and
Richard von Weizsäcker. ==Table of laureates==