2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation - Ms. Sally A. Schwartz

On August 1, 2024 (Japan Time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2024. Ms. Sally A. Schwartz is among this year’s foreign recipients. She will receive the Commendation in recognition of her outstanding contributions to promoting Japanese language education in the United States.

Ms. Schwartz founded the DC Center for Global Education Leadership in 2009 (the organization changed its name to Globalize DC in 2016) and has continuously supported economically disadvantaged students in accessing global education, learning, and study abroad opportunities. In particular, she established Japanese language and culture classes for high school students in Washington, D.C. She has also provided Japanese language education and study abroad opportunities for economically disadvantaged students by leveraging her extensive connections with the Embassy of Japan in the United States, the Japan Foundation, and language education professionals in the D.C area. These efforts have contributed greatly to an increase in Japanese language learners and the increased presence of Japanese language education programs in the United States.

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.