Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY2025 - Mr. Gerald H. Yamada

On August 28, 2025 (Japan Time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2025. Mr. Gerald H. Yamada is among this year’s foreign recipients. He will receive the Commendation in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.

Since 2011, Mr. Yamada has served as the President of the Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) for over 9 years across 3 terms. Through this role, he worked to promote the Japanese-American community within the United States.

Additionally, through lectures that included his personal experiences, having been born in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, he has made significant contributions to promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and 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.