Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2022 - Mr. Michael Schiffer

On August 4, 2022 (Japan Time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2022. Mr. Michael Schiffer is among this year’s foreign recipients. He receives the Commendations in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States of America.

Over the years, Mr. Schiffer has made significant contributions to the advancement of Japan-U.S. relations in various capacities in the public and private sectors. As a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow in Japan from 2004 to 2005, Mr. Schiffer conducted research on Asia-Pacific regional affairs, including Japan-U.S. relations. Mr. Schiffer also played an important role in promoting intellectual exchange between Japan and the U.S. when he served as a member of the Congressional Study Group on Japan and the Center for New American Security’s U.S.-Japan Policy Task Force. Since 2012, as a Senior Advisor and Counselor for the Democratic staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Mr. Schiffer has contributed to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the U.S. Congress. Among many achievements, he played an important role in facilitating the passage of a Senate resolution that aimed to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance in 2021. Mr. Schiffer's accomplishments are deeply recognized and highly regarded by many of those who are engaged in Japan-U.S. bilateral relations.

Every year, 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 Commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.