Short answers, pulled from the story.
Animation Kobe began on the 8th of December 1996 as a civic strategy by the city of Kobe to reinvent itself after the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. The city needed a new identity to attract tourism and investment and found that identity in the burgeoning anime industry.
Yasuki Hamano led the Animation Kobe committee from 1996 to 2005 as a renowned animator and director. Akira Kamiya, a legendary voice actor, took over the role from 2006 to 2015.
Hideaki Anno received the Individual Award in 1996 for his work as the director of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This choice signaled the committee's willingness to back bold and unconventional visions.
Fujiko F. Fujio, the creator of Doraemon, was the first recipient of the Special Award in 1996. He had died just two months before the event.
The Theme Song Award began in 1999 and is the only category where the final decision is influenced by fan votes. This approach recognizes the growing power of the fan community in the anime industry.