Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony for Dr. Stephen Hiro Sumida, Former Chair, American Studies Association–Japanese Association for American Studies Project Advisory Committee – 10/2/2025

     On October 2, 2025, a conferment ceremony and reception were held at the Official Residence to congratulate Dr. Stephen Hiro Sumida, Former Chair of the American Studies Association–Japanese Association for American Studies Project Advisory Committee, on his receipt of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation. Dr. Sumida’s family, colleagues, and many others were in attendance.

     Consul General of Japan in Seattle IYORI Makoto expressed his appreciation for Dr. Sumida’s many years of continued contributions and formally conferred the Commendation. Dr. Sumida reflected on his career teaching American Studies courses at universities in the United States and Japan, and his efforts to promote understanding of Japanese culture and Japanese Americans in the United States. He thanked his family and colleagues for their support and expressed gratitude for the honor of receiving the Foreign Minister’s Commendation.

     In 1989, Dr. Sumida began participating in planning an academic exchange program in American studies between the American Studies Association—the largest American studies organization in the United States—and the Japanese Association for American Studies, the main American studies association in Japan. He served as the program’s Executive Committee Chair from 1997 to 2008. Beyond directing and coordinating the program, with Dr. Gail Nomura as co-coordinator, he single-handedly handled annual grant applications and other tasks, dedicating himself to fostering academic exchange. This program deepened relations between the two associations and contributed to the development of American studies in Japan. Furthermore, he assumed leadership of the American Studies Association as president-elect in 2001, president in 2002–2003, and has contributed to promoting academic exchange between the two countries by actively participating in lectures and conferences in Japan.