HTB Wins Double Encouragement Awards at the 63rd Galaxy Awards for 'Setting Sun Mega Solar' and Investigative Reporting!
Hokkaido Television Broadcasting (HTB) has been honored in both the Television and News Activity categories at the 63rd Galaxy Awards for its impactful coverage of environmental issues caused by mega-solar development in the Kushiro Wetland.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 21:17
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 13:06 (5 min after Collected)
Today, April 28 (Tuesday), the winners of the 63rd (FY2025) Galaxy Awards were announced. HTB's production 'Telementary 2025: Setting Sun Mega Solar - Questioning Coexistence with Nature' won the Encouragement Award in the Television category. Additionally, 'A Series of Reports on Mega-Solar Development Around the Kushiro Wetland – Pursuing the Sloppy Reality that Disregards Nature and Residents' was awarded the Encouragement Award in the News Activity category.
This marks the second consecutive year of winning in the Television category, following 'Telementary 2024: Silent Exploitation – Overlooked Abuse of the Disabled' in FY2024. For the News Activity category, this is the first award since the 'Three-Year Investigative Reporting on the Power Harassment Issue at Hokkaido Prefectural Nursing School' in FY2023.
The Galaxy Awards were established in 1963 by the NPO Association of Broadcast Critics to improve the quality of Japanese broadcasting culture and honor outstanding programs, individuals, and organizations. The 'News Activity Category' was founded in FY2002 to spotlight excellent reporting and support the revitalization of regional broadcast journalism.
'Telementary 2025: Setting Sun Mega Solar' explores the issues surrounding consecutive mega-solar constructions near the Kushiro Wetland, Japan's largest wetland located in eastern Hokkaido. The documentary reflects on the future of energy by highlighting how rare creatures' habitats are threatened behind the scenes of renewable energy promotion. This program previously won the Galaxy Award Monthly Award for October.
Director Kaito Takahashi commented, 'A local environmental issue has evolved into a matter that moves national politics. We will continue reporting to ensure a proper system for the coexistence of renewable energy, nature, and rare species.' Producer Daichi Oikawa stated, 'I hope many people will learn about the reality in Kushiro, where renewable energy—meant to be eco-friendly—is destroying precious ecosystems, and that this serves as a catalyst to question future energy policies.'
In the News Activity category, HTB’s reports were sparked by information from a local veterinarian that a mega-solar project was planned where white-tailed eagles nest. Through information disclosure and on-site reporting, the issue evolved from a regional concern to a national political agenda. Following the reports, Kushiro City enacted strict ordinances, the prefecture issued over 27 administrative instructions, and the national government declared its commitment to tackling mega-solar measures. HTB remains committed to ongoing coverage for the coexistence of energy and nature.
This marks the second consecutive year of winning in the Television category, following 'Telementary 2024: Silent Exploitation – Overlooked Abuse of the Disabled' in FY2024. For the News Activity category, this is the first award since the 'Three-Year Investigative Reporting on the Power Harassment Issue at Hokkaido Prefectural Nursing School' in FY2023.
The Galaxy Awards were established in 1963 by the NPO Association of Broadcast Critics to improve the quality of Japanese broadcasting culture and honor outstanding programs, individuals, and organizations. The 'News Activity Category' was founded in FY2002 to spotlight excellent reporting and support the revitalization of regional broadcast journalism.
'Telementary 2025: Setting Sun Mega Solar' explores the issues surrounding consecutive mega-solar constructions near the Kushiro Wetland, Japan's largest wetland located in eastern Hokkaido. The documentary reflects on the future of energy by highlighting how rare creatures' habitats are threatened behind the scenes of renewable energy promotion. This program previously won the Galaxy Award Monthly Award for October.
Director Kaito Takahashi commented, 'A local environmental issue has evolved into a matter that moves national politics. We will continue reporting to ensure a proper system for the coexistence of renewable energy, nature, and rare species.' Producer Daichi Oikawa stated, 'I hope many people will learn about the reality in Kushiro, where renewable energy—meant to be eco-friendly—is destroying precious ecosystems, and that this serves as a catalyst to question future energy policies.'
In the News Activity category, HTB’s reports were sparked by information from a local veterinarian that a mega-solar project was planned where white-tailed eagles nest. Through information disclosure and on-site reporting, the issue evolved from a regional concern to a national political agenda. Following the reports, Kushiro City enacted strict ordinances, the prefecture issued over 27 administrative instructions, and the national government declared its commitment to tackling mega-solar measures. HTB remains committed to ongoing coverage for the coexistence of energy and nature.