The Government of Fukuoka Japan, together with the Fukuoka Ruby Award Selection Committee, is running the 2009 Fukuoka Ruby Award Competition. In short, they're trying to raise public awareness of the growing software industry in Japan but also Ruby in general.

With a deadline of Christmas Day, you only have just over 24 hours to apply! Two types of award are offered:

Award Type A is for a business model or system developed using Ruby.

Award Type B is for activities that contribute to the promotion, growth and expansion of the Ruby language.

The top prize is 1 million yen (approximately $11,114 at current rates) but three "outstanding performance award"s of 100,000 yen (approximately $1111) are also up for grabs. Basically, if you have a business model oriented around Ruby, have developed a Ruby application, or are otherwise helping to promote or grow the Ruby language, you should be good to go. Submissions are accepted via e-mail and the entry forms (in Excel format, alas) are available from the Ruby Award site along with all of the relevant terms and conditions. Entries must be sent by email by 11:59PM on Christmas Day, 2008 and the winners will be announced in February 2009.

At the very least, this is an opportunity to win a cash prize in return for rather little effort, so fill out an entry form and send it off before Christmas Day (Japan is 14-17 hours ahead of the US - so you need to play it safe).