Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2026

On September 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for the fiscal year 2026. This year, among the 159 individuals and 67 organizations honored, the following three residents of the New England area have been selected: 
 

• Prof. Bruce Stronach (Former President of Showa Boston Institute; Former Director, Executive Board, and Organizational Member of the Japan Network for International Education (JAFSA)), for promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S.A.
• Dr. Anna Zielinska-Elliott (Master Lecturer in Japanese and Associate Director, MFA in Literary Translation, Boston University; Translator), for promoting Japanese culture in Poland and the U.S.A.
• Mr. Peter Dolan (President of the Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange), for promoting mutual understanding between sister cities. 

The Consulate-General of Japan in Boston extends its heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Prof. Stronach, Dr. Zielinska-Elliott, and Mr. Dolan for their outstanding contributions.
 

The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and organizations with outstanding achievements in international affairs to acknowledge their contributions to promoting friendship between Japan and other countries and regions. The commendations are also aim to foster understanding and support among the Japanese public for the recipients’ activities.