Foreign Minister’s Commendation for Dr. Akiko Agishi

On Aug. 1, 2024 (JST), the Government of Japan announced the recipients of its 2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation. From the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, Dr. Akiko Agishi was awarded.   
 
On Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, Dr. Agishi was presented the Foreign Minister’s Commendation. 
 
The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups for outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also aims to engage the understanding and support of the Japanese public for these activities.   
  
The following are Dr. Agishi’s contributions to the Japan-US relationship that have resulted in its being awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation:  
 
Dr. Akiko Agishi founded Creative Enterprise International in 1973 and has been involved in Japan-U.S. exchange in the field of advertising and other fields. Based on her own experience studying in the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar, she established the Aurora Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation in 1998 to foster and support Americans involved in Japanese language education. To date, more than 100 young Americans have received scholarships. In addition, to promote exchange between Hokkaido and the U.S., the Foundation has contributed to friendship and goodwill between the two countries by inviting students from Rebun High School to the U.S. since 2011 and providing them with opportunities to interact with local high schools and stay at home.

Dr. Akiko Agishi has been awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation in recognition of its contribution to mutual understanding between Japan and the US.