TOKYO - A HONG Kong cartoonist's tale of a love triangle on Tuesday won the Japanese government's prize for foreign 'manga' comics.

Lee Wan Kit, who also goes by the name Jeffrey, received the second annual prize at a ceremony in Tokyo with Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura.

He won the award for 'Feel 100%,' a comic about two men working for an advertising industry who fight for a woman's love. The comic was later turned into a Hong Kong film.

The award was launched last year by Japan's then foreign minister Taro Aso, known for his love of comics, in a bid to promote manga as an international art.

Mr Aso is a front-runner to become Japan's prime minister after incumbent Yasuo Fukuda abruptly resigned on Monday.

Last year's manga award recipient was also from Hong Kong. Lee Chi Ching won for a comic depiction of the work of Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu.

The prize's judges this year received 368 submissions from 46 countries and territories, according to Japan's foreign ministry. -- AFP