Commendations by the Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.

Commendations by the Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.

 

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On November 1, 2025, Ambassador Shigeo Yamada has decided to award the Ambassador’s Commendation to 7 individuals and 2 groups, who have contributed to strengthening the friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States over the years.

 

The awardees are as follows.

[Individual]

Anne Emig, Former Program Director for Japan, National Science Foundation (NSF)

 

Mr. Jiro Ueda, Japanese Painting Conservator, National Museum of Asian Art

Ms. Shirley Ann Higuchi, President of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC)

Dr. John Grunsfeld, Former Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Daniel H. Dorman, Former Executive Director for Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Former Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Paul S. Hoff, Counsel, Foster Garvey PC

[Groups]

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) DC Chapter

The JET Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC)

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• Anne Emig, Former Program Director for Japan, National Science Foundation (NSF)
  Dr. Anne Emig worked to strengthen science diplomacy and Japan-U.S. science collaboration for nearly two decades as Program Director for Japan at NSF. In this capacity, she supported NSF, the U.S. research community, and Japanese counterpart agencies to deepen mutual understanding and build partnerships to drive scientific advances in areas including natural disaster resilience, data science, communications technology, bioeconomy, researcher mobility, and entrepreneurship.
• Mr. Jiro Ueda, Japanese Painting Conservator, National Museum of Asian Art
  From 1984 to 1991, Mr. Ueda trained as a mounter at a mounting studio in Kyoto. He then spent six years building up his experience as a restoration technician in Kanazawa. In 1996, he began working at the National Museum of Asian Art. He has restored many of the Japanese art pieces using traditional techniques, and has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Japanese art.
• Ms. Shirley Ann Higuchi, President of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC)
  Ms. Higuchi has been a leading attorney in legal matters spanning healthcare, mental health, and human rights for many years. In addition to her distinguished legal career, she has made outstanding contributions to the preservation of Japanese American history and the protection of their civil rights, thereby promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
• Dr. John Grunsfeld, Former Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  Between 2012 and 2016, while serving as Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Dr. John Grunsfeld greatly strengthened Japan-U.S. scientific cooperation, particularly in the field of astrophysics. Drawing upon his long-standing experience as a researcher in X-ray astronomy, he provided strong support for Japan-U.S. collaboration (NASA–JAXA), playing a pivotal role in bringing the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) project to fruition.
• Daniel H. Dorman, Former Executive Director for Operations, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
  During the accident at the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Mr. Dorman visited Japan as a member of NRC and provided numerous valuable recommendations to the Japanese government. Furthermore, as the Executive Director for Operations of the NRC, he contributed to promotion of cooperation in the field of nuclear regulation between Japan and the United States, including information exchange with the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan and the implementation of training programs for the NRA inspectors.
• Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen, Former Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  From 2016 to 2022, as Associate Administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, Dr. Thomas H. Zurbuchen significantly advanced Japan-U.S. scientific cooperation in space, including missions to Mars and Venus, as well as efforts to unlock the origins of the universe. He played a leading role in Japan-U.S. collaboration (NASA–JAXA) for the development of the X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM), launched in 2024, which has since achieved remarkable results in the field of astronomy.
• Paul S. Hoff, Counsel, Foster Garvey PC
  For nearly 40 years, Mr. Paul S. Hoff has advised the Embassy of Japan with legal expertise on United States’ fisheries, marine acts, and regulations. He has also provided information on ongoing judicial and administrative litigation and congressional developments on fisheries. Through such services, he has greatly contributed to the Embassy’s understanding of U.S. policies.
• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) DC Chapter
  Since 1946, the Japanese American Citizens League DC Chapter (JACL DC) has advocated and supported human and civil rights for all. As part of their mission to educate the public and in partnership with Maryland's Montgomery County School District, JACL DC conceived of and created the graphic novel, “But, Where Are You REALLY From?” Adopted into the Montgomery County Public Schools' 5th-grade curriculum, the novel explores Japanese American history, identity, and civil rights. Through this impactful educational initiative, the Chapter has made a significant contribution to deepening mutual understanding and promoting friendship between Japan and the United States.
• The JET Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC)
  Since its establishment in 1990, JETAADC has maintained and expanded the community of JET Program alumni in the D.C. area and has worked to promote exchange between Japan and the U.S. Through activities with educational institutions and local communities, as well as initiatives to build personal networks, they have contributed to fostering a better understanding of Japan and laying the foundation for the Japan-U.S. relationship.