Embassy of Japan
Press Release
May 21, 2019
2019 Spring Conferment of Decoration
Dr. John Paul Holdren
On May 21, 2019 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2019 Spring Imperial Decorations. Dr. John Paul Holdren is among this year’s foreign recipients and, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States of America in science and technology, he will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
- DECORATION: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
- SERVICE: Contributed to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States of America in science and technology
- NAME: John Paul Holdren
- MAJOR TITLES:
- Assistant to the President for Science and Technology under President Obama
- Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- Professor, Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
- ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): Falmouth, Massachusetts (United States of America)
SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS
As President Obama’s Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. Holdren facilitated cooperation between Japan and the United States of America. He co-chaired the 11th to the 13th Joint High Level Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America. He also enhanced cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in science and technology by actively exchanging views and opinions with Japanese experts.
Dr. Holdren worked closely with Japanese experts under the direction of President Obama to gather information on the status of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant shortly after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident which occurred in March, 2011 and strengthened the relationship between Japan and the United States of America through his consistent expression of support for Japan.
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