Haiku Poet Itsuki Natsui Appointed as Chief Judge for COVID-19 Themed Haiku Contest

Our company, welcoming Haiku poet Ms. Itsuki Natsui as the chief judge and in co-sponsorship with The Yomiuri Shimbun, will begin accepting applications for the 'Protecting Lives, Learning from Corona: Haiku Contest Connecting to the Future,' themed around the novel coronavirus infectious disease, starting Friday, June 5, 2026. This contest aims to let as many people as possible know the 'current state' of COVID-19 through Haiku, and to provide an opportunity for society as a whole to think about what can be done to protect one's own and one's family's lives by utilizing past experiences. This contest is held in co-sponsorship with The Yomiuri Shimbun.

Three full years have passed since COVID-19 was downgraded to a Class 5 infectious disease under the Infectious Disease Control Law. However, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's vital statistics, the annual number of deaths in 2024 is more than 10 times the number of deaths from influenza (*1). Especially for the elderly, whose physical strength and immune functions are prone to decline, it can be said to be one of the 'familiar risks' that cannot be taken lightly (*2). To protect not only oneself but also the lives of one's family, it is important to continue basic infection control measures such as hand washing, wearing masks, ventilation, avoiding the three Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings), maintaining good lifestyle habits (*3), and getting vaccinated as a preparation for infection or severe symptoms (*4).

Given this background, as an opportunity for society to reconsider the lessons learned through the experience of COVID-19, we are holding a contest to express the wisdom of infection control, the appreciation of everyday life, and the feelings one wants to convey at this time in the '5-7-5' syllable format of Haiku, under the theme 'The Experience of COVID-19 and Us in the Future.' We are looking for Haiku that reflect on what can be done to protect the lives of oneself and one's family and contain the feelings one wants to convey now.

Ms. Itsuki Natsui, who is widely active as a Haiku poet, will serve as the chief judge. We also welcome as judges infectious disease experts: Dr. Tetsuya Matsumoto, Representative Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare / Director, Department of Infection Control, Narita Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare; Dr. Nobuyuki Miyashita, Professor, Department of Respiratory Infections and Allergology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University / Director, Infection Control Department, Kansai Medical University Hospital; and Dr. Kazuko Yamamoto, Professor, Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine (First Department of Internal Medicine), Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus.

This contest will open for applications on Friday, June 5, 2026, and the application period will run until Sunday, July 5, 2026. The winning works are scheduled to be announced on the Yomiuri Shimbun Online special page around late September 2026, aligning with the 'Tuberculosis and Respiratory Infection Prevention Week.'

[Overview of 'Protecting Lives, Learning from Corona: Haiku Contest Connecting to the Future']

■ Co-sponsors: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, The Yomiuri Shimbun
■ Theme: The experience of COVID-19 and us in the future
■ Content: Haiku expressing experiences with COVID-19, wisdom on countermeasures, the appreciation of normal life, and feelings to convey at this time.
We look forward to submissions that show everyday realizations, empathy, hope, and positive messages.
* Please create in the 5-7-5 format.
* Up to 3 works per application. Pen names are allowed.
* Please also add any thoughts, background, or comments included in the Haiku, if any.
* Applying for this contest requires checking the 'Notes on Application' and agreeing to the handling of copyrights and personal information.
■ How to apply: Please check the details on the Yomiuri Shimbun Online special page and apply via the 'Application Form' on the site. 'Advice on how to create' by Ms. Itsuki Natsui is also available.
■ Application Period: Friday, June 5, 2026 to Sunday, July 5, 2026, 23:59
■ Results Announcement: Scheduled for late September 2026 (Yomiuri Shimbun Online special page)
■ Prizes: Grand Prize (1 winner) 50,000 yen gift card, Runner-up (2 winners) 20,000 yen gift card, Judges' Special Award (3 winners) 15,000 yen gift card, Honorable Mention (3 winners) 5,000 yen gift card.
* In the case of minors, prizes will be awarded via QUO cards.
■ Participation Prize: 20 people drawn by lottery will receive a book signed by Ms. Itsuki Natsui
■ Chief Judge: Haiku Poet Ms. Itsuki Natsui
■ Judges:
Dr. Tetsuya Matsumoto (Representative Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare / Director, Department of Infection Control, Narita Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare)
Dr. Nobuyuki Miyashita (Professor, Department of Respiratory Infections and Allergology, First Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University / Director, Infection Control Department, Kansai Medical University Hospital)
Dr. Kazuko Yamamoto (Professor, Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine (First Department of Internal Medicine), Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus)
■ Inquiries: Haiku Contest Connecting to the Future Secretariat
TEL: 06-6364-9005 Mail: jimukyoku@oys.jp