A photograph by Andrey Kuzhabekov, second secretary at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, features a group of children playing with soap bubbles at Yoyogi Park in the city. The image evokes a longing for simpler times in our past and the natural joys that have become increasingly rare in today's complicated and digitized world.
The nostalgic scene, captured by Kuzhabekov during a stroll with one of his two sons, won the Prince Takamado Memorial Prize in the photography competition Japan Through Diplomats' Eyes 2017.
The annual competition was launched in 1998 by former Luxembourg Ambassador to Japan Pierre Gramegna, an avid photographer who had encouraged diplomats to share their experience through photography in the belief that they could offer unique perspectives about Japan.