The Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony and Reception 2018

On November 13, a ceremony and reception were held at the Official Residence to award the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2018 to the Japanese Language and Literature Program, Department of Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Consul General Yamada expressed his appreciation for the program’s long contribution to the development of Japan studies in the Pacific Northwest, one of the areas in the United States where Japan studies has been actively conducted. The certificate was conferred to Prof. Paul Atkins, Professor and Department Chair of the University of Washington, who received it on behalf of the program.

Prof. Atkins expressed his gratitude for the honor and spoke about the history of the program since its establishment. Next, Dean Brian Reed, Divisional Dean of Humanities of the University of Washington, gave his remarks.

Dean Reed was followed by a panel discussion by Prof. Davinder Bhowmik, Associate Professor of the University of Washington, and two former professors of the University of Washington, Prof. Jay Rubin and Prof. John Treat. Following the panel, members of Washin Kai, a group formed to support the Japanese Language and Literature Program, called for support and cooperation from the guests.
 

In the ceremony, the Japanese Language and Literature Program presented a vintage copy of a book written by Prof. Herbert Gowen, who greatly contributed to the establishment of the program, to Consul General Yamada.