Miyazaki to Visit California and Accept Lifetime Achievement Award

Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away) will be making a rare appearance in America this July, to accept the Berkeley Japan Prize for lifetime achievement.

The award will be given at the University of California Berkeley, none other than same the alma mater of our very own Pocky!
UC Berkeley is a very happening place in current affairs, to be sure, and very active spot for Japanese cultural studies in America.

Miyazaki's award makes only the second time the Berkeley Japan Prize will have been given, and marks one of the very few tips Miyazaki has made to the United States.
Sources say Miyazaki's contract with Walt Disney Studios stipulates he must make an appearance.

However, it is yet to be known exactly where Pocky will be during the award ceremony, on July 25, as that is one of the dates right in the middle of the San Diego Comic Con!

Though, you can imagine my disbelief when I read a talk during the ceremony with Miyazaki would be held by a Mr. Roland!

Source: Anime News Network