The Kiriyama Prize was established in 1996 to recognize outstanding books about the Pacific Rim and South Asia that encourage greater mutual understanding of and among the peoples and nations of this vast and culturally diverse region. The prize consists of a cash award split between the fiction and nonfiction winners. Each February, two panels of judges select five finalists in each category, fiction and nonfiction. The winners are chosen from among these finalists in late March. Along with the winners and finalists, the Kiriyama Prize also publishes an annual list of notable books in the fiction and nonfiction categories, which are also drawn from the judging process. Thus, each year, the Prize recognizes, celebrates and promotes a wide variety of worthwhile books. For more information, and to see the lists of nominees and other notable books eligible for this award, click on the The Official Kiriyama Prize web site. [Note: No prize was given in 2003.]