The Sankei Shimbun, in conjunction with the All Japan Art Salon Painting Grand Prize Exhibition Executive Committee, will host the "36th All Japan Art Salon Painting Grand Prize Exhibition," a nationwide painting competition open to anyone residing in Japan. Entries are now being accepted. Applications will open on Saturday, August 1. "Ebi Otoko" by Miruko Hide, winner of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (Free Expression Division) at the previous exhibition. ■ Application Guidelines Anyone residing in Japan. Age and other qualifications are not specified. Group applications are not permitted. Saturday, August 1 - Friday, October 9. For those who will deliver their works directly to the Osaka venue, the deadline is Friday, October 16. ¥16,500 per piece, ¥21,780 for two pieces. Includes consumption tax, payment fees, and return shipping. Maximum of two pieces per person. Free Expression Division (abstract works focusing on free expression) / Realistic Expression Division (representational works such as landscapes, portraits, and still lifes). (In Japanese alphabetical order, titles omitted) Free Expression Division: Katsuhiko Hibino, Yuji Yamashita, Yoko Yamamoto / Realistic Expression Division: Tamajo Akamatsu, Yuki Kishi, Shinichi Tamagawa. All applicants will be notified by sealed letter between late December and mid-January 2027. The names of award winners will be published in The Sankei Shimbun. Tokyo Exhibition: Thursday, February 4 - Monday, February 15, 2027, The National Art Center, Tokyo, Exhibition Hall 1B. Osaka Exhibition: Tuesday, March 2 - Sunday, March 7, 2027, Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Tennoji Gallery. Regional Exhibitions: To be held in Okayama, Ehime, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Miyagi, and Hokkaido from May to July 2027. (Awards are set for each division: Free Expression and Realistic Expression) Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award (1 piece only in the Realistic Expression Divis