Commendations for Professor Roger Goodman and the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies

Professor Roger Goodman and the Nissan Institute have received individual and group commendations from the Japanese Foreign Minister for FY2023.  The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with ‘outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas.’

The Commendation for Professor Goodman cited his contributions to the development of Japanese Studies and the promotion of understanding of Japan in the UK and the world over for more than 40 years.

The Commendation for the Nissan Institute cited the Institute’s role as a leader in research and teaching of Japan, especially in the social sciences, its role in educating doctoral students, its seminar series and publications on Japan, and hosting of Japanese academics over a span of 40 years.

On 29 September members of the Institute travelled to London where the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hayashi Hajime, presented the awards.   At the ceremony, Ambassador Hayashi paid tribute to Professor Goodman and the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies for their significant contributions to the development and promotion of Japanese Studies in the UK, and expressed his wish to further strengthen Japan-UK relations in various fields, including education.  In response, Professor Goodman and Professor Hugh Whittaker, Director of the Nissan Institute, reflected on the above achievements, and spoke of the positive and evolving roles of both for Japanese studies in the future.