We are happy to share the news that today, July 17, 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2018. The Japanese Language and Literature Program, Department of Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Washington, Seattle was among those selected for this honor.
Since its beginning with a course on classical Japanese literature offered in 1910, the Japanese Language and Literature Program has served in a core role for the development and expansion of Japanese studies for many years as an educational and research institution located in the Pacific Northwest, an area where Japanese studies is thriving. In addition to offering courses on Japanese literature and language encompassing ancient to modern times, the program is actively connected with the local community. Furthermore, the program is linked with many Japanese universities and is actively working on exchanges for students and professors between Japan and the U.S.
The UW Japan Studies Program was honored to receive this award in 2009 “in recognition of distinguished achievement in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States of America and thus contributing to the strengthening of friendly relations between Japan and foreign countries”.