In an unprecedented move, the government will not give the prestigious Good Design Grand Award to Google Maps even though it received the most votes, prompting speculation that officials did not want to reward the service because it includes contentious names for disputed islets claimed by Japan.
Spearheaded by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the annual Good Design Award has honored products, people and activities considered "well-designed" for more than 50 years.
Source: NewsOnJapan
An average of 1,000 entries receive the award each year, but only one gets the most prestigious Good Design Grand Award, also known as the Prime Minister's Award.
After being nominated for the top prize by judges and the public, the candidate is scrutinized by the government and usually is approved with no disagreement.
This year is the first time since the Prime Minister's Award debuted in 2007 that the government has refused to go along with the nominee that got the most votes.
In response, the Japan Institute of Design Promotion created a special award called Global Design 2013 and gave it to Google Maps.
Source: NewsOnJapan
