Asian and Oceanian Outstanding Achievement Epilepsy Award (AOEA) 2025

Dr Masako Watanabe is a psychiatrist and the head of the Shinjuku Neuro Clinic; she previously worked at the National Epilepsy Center (Shizuoka) and also served as the Director of the Epilepsy Section of the Department of Psychiatry at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry. She is a pioneer in the psychiatry aspect of epilepsy.

She served as the Secretary General of the Japan Epilepsy Society (JES), working on expanding membership, supporting legislation, promoting equitable epilepsy care in Japan, and the adoption of IGAP in Japan. She also contributed to the development of the 2014 ILAE definition of epilepsy.

Dr. Watanabe is actively involved in addressing social issues and eliminating the stigma surrounding epilepsy. As the Secretary General of JES, she had worked with the JEA (Japan Epilepsy Association) for many years on annual media outreaches and lectures to raise awareness and disseminate appropriate information about epilepsy. She also led the ILAE's “STAND UP for Epilepsy” campaign, reaching out to prominent athletes such as professional tennis players and sumo wrestlers.

Through JES, ILAE, and AOEC, Dr. Watanabe has strengthened the global epilepsy network and left an indelible impact on epilepsy care and advocacy.