The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has announced the names of 149 people to be given awards as contemporary artisans and technicians for their excellence in traditional handicrafts and industrial technology.

The award, established in 1967, aims at improving techniques and artistry and handing them on to the next generation, and is given to veterans who have worked in their fields for more than 15 years.

The 149 recipients, 139 men and 10 women, were selected by the ministry from a record high 391 candidates recommended by local governments and industry organizations. Their average age is 62.9.

The oldest awardee is Katsumi Kitamura, an 84-year-old gardener from Ogaki, Gifu Prefecture. The youngest is Saeko Konta, 42, an integrated circuit assembler at NEC Corp. from Takahata, Yamagata Prefecture.