Iwashimizu (right) pictured with NTV President Okubo

In commemoration of the Japan National Team "Nadeshiko Japan" winning the championship for the first time at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany, Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) announced that a special award of one million yen each be presented to three recipients: NTV Beleza and its players Azusa Iwashimizu and Mana Iwabuchi.

Since 1999, NTV has shown its support for women's soccer through investment in the NTV Beleza football team. In February 2010, NTV took on the naming rights and continued their support as a sponsor. During this period, NTV Beleza won eight league championships and has been a forerunner in Japanese women's soccer.

Iwashimizu is an employee of Nippon Television Work 24 Corporation, a subsidiary company of the NTV Group. The unrelenting discipline and mental strength that led her and her team to win the world title have truly inspired not only the NTV Group, but uplifted the entire nation of Japan.

<Comments by NTV Representative Director & President Yoshio Okubo>
"I would like to express my respect toward Azuma Iwashimizu and Mana Iwabuchi for the spectacular role they played as members of "Nadeshiko Japan," and for showing the perseverance, strength and "never give up" spirit of Japanese women's soccer. I would like to express my appreciation to NTV Beleza for sending out two of their players into the world to represent Japan and help achieve this remarkable accomplishment. NTV intends to continue supporting NTV Beleza, the women's national team and Japanese soccer."

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