Mr. Masaru Yatabe of the Friends of MacDonald to Receive 2023 Foreign Minister’s Commendation
2023/8/16
On August 16, 2023 (Japan time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the recipients of the 2023 Foreign Minister's Commendation. Mr. Masaru Yatabe (Chairman of the Friends of MacDonald) has been awarded the Foreign Minister's Commendation in recognition of his achievements in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
Mr. Yatabe has played and continues to play a central role in the activities of the Friends of MacDonald, an organization which celebrates the history of Ranald MacDonald of Astoria, Oregon - known as Japan`s first English teacher and a pioneer in Japan-U.S. relations. For 20 years, Mr. Yatabe has also served as chairman of the judging committee for the Toyama Cup, a Japanese speech contest for local university students organized by Toyama Prefecture, sister-state of Oregon. In addition, he has contributed to the promotion of sister city, economic and cultural exchanges through his personal business activities. Through his tireless efforts he has supported the spread and promotion of Japanese language education in the region and deepened mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.
Foreign Minister's Commendation recipients are selected from a wide range of individuals who have made particularly remarkable achievements in various fields of international relations, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The purpose of the award is to honor the accomplishments of these people and organizations, and to raise public awareness and support of their activities.
Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2023 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Mr. Yatabe has played and continues to play a central role in the activities of the Friends of MacDonald, an organization which celebrates the history of Ranald MacDonald of Astoria, Oregon - known as Japan`s first English teacher and a pioneer in Japan-U.S. relations. For 20 years, Mr. Yatabe has also served as chairman of the judging committee for the Toyama Cup, a Japanese speech contest for local university students organized by Toyama Prefecture, sister-state of Oregon. In addition, he has contributed to the promotion of sister city, economic and cultural exchanges through his personal business activities. Through his tireless efforts he has supported the spread and promotion of Japanese language education in the region and deepened mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States.
Foreign Minister's Commendation recipients are selected from a wide range of individuals who have made particularly remarkable achievements in various fields of international relations, and who have contributed significantly to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The purpose of the award is to honor the accomplishments of these people and organizations, and to raise public awareness and support of their activities.
Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2023 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)