Foreign Minister’s Commendations for Fiscal Year 2017
2017/7/5
On June 29, 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for fiscal year 2017. From within the jurisdiction of the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, the two individuals and one organization listed below were named recipients of this award.
The Foreign Minister's Commendation is awarded to acknowledge individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding achievement and made significant contributions toward promoting friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also seeks to encourage understanding and support for those efforts and activities from all local communities.
[Individuals]
1. Mr. Tom Clark, former CEO of Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of economic relations between Japan and the United States.
Mr. Clark has played a primary role in leading a trade mission group to Tokyo from Denver on the inaugural direct flight. Furthermore, he offered tremendous efforts to host officials of the Japan Business Federation during visits from Japan to Denver as a representative of the local business community. Through these efforts, he has made great contributions to establishing further development of economic exchange between Japan and Colorado.
2. Ms. Jani Iwamoto, a Utah State Senator, will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for her outstanding contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
Ms. Iwamoto has served as Vice President of the Japanese Community Preservation Committee in Utah, leading efforts to preserve the Japan Town area in Salt Lake City, including naming its main street as well as the placement of a Japanese garden in the city. Through her dedicated efforts, she has worked to build and promote mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and the United States. Furthermore, as an elected official in Salt Lake County and as a state senator, Ms. Iwamoto has made significant contributions toward improving the status of the Japanese American community in Utah.
[Organization]
3. The Denver Art Museum will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for its outstanding achievement in promoting Japan- U.S. cultural exchange through Art. The museum is known as one of the most prominent art museums in the U.S., and by holding exhibitions from its diverse art collection, the Denver Art Museum has contributed greatly in promoting education and public awareness of Japanese Art in both the community and the region. Through an ongoing dedication toward promoting Japanese Art, the Denver Art Museum has played a significant role to foster mutual understanding between people of Japan and the U.S., offering permanent space for Japanese Art exhibits over a long period as well as special exhibits on a nearly annual basis.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver extends its sincere congratulations to these dedicated individuals and organization, and expresses its deepest respect and appreciation for their outstanding achievements and contributions.
The Foreign Minister's Commendation is awarded to acknowledge individuals and organizations that have shown outstanding achievement and made significant contributions toward promoting friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also seeks to encourage understanding and support for those efforts and activities from all local communities.
[Individuals]
1. Mr. Tom Clark, former CEO of Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of economic relations between Japan and the United States.
Mr. Clark has played a primary role in leading a trade mission group to Tokyo from Denver on the inaugural direct flight. Furthermore, he offered tremendous efforts to host officials of the Japan Business Federation during visits from Japan to Denver as a representative of the local business community. Through these efforts, he has made great contributions to establishing further development of economic exchange between Japan and Colorado.
2. Ms. Jani Iwamoto, a Utah State Senator, will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for her outstanding contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
Ms. Iwamoto has served as Vice President of the Japanese Community Preservation Committee in Utah, leading efforts to preserve the Japan Town area in Salt Lake City, including naming its main street as well as the placement of a Japanese garden in the city. Through her dedicated efforts, she has worked to build and promote mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and the United States. Furthermore, as an elected official in Salt Lake County and as a state senator, Ms. Iwamoto has made significant contributions toward improving the status of the Japanese American community in Utah.
[Organization]
3. The Denver Art Museum will be conferred with the Foreign Minister's Commendation for its outstanding achievement in promoting Japan- U.S. cultural exchange through Art. The museum is known as one of the most prominent art museums in the U.S., and by holding exhibitions from its diverse art collection, the Denver Art Museum has contributed greatly in promoting education and public awareness of Japanese Art in both the community and the region. Through an ongoing dedication toward promoting Japanese Art, the Denver Art Museum has played a significant role to foster mutual understanding between people of Japan and the U.S., offering permanent space for Japanese Art exhibits over a long period as well as special exhibits on a nearly annual basis.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver extends its sincere congratulations to these dedicated individuals and organization, and expresses its deepest respect and appreciation for their outstanding achievements and contributions.