Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY2026 - Mr. Philip Agress

On September 24, 2026 (Japan Time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2026. Mr. Philip Agress is among this year’s foreign recipients. He will receive the Commendation in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting economic relations between Japan and the United States.

Mr. Agress was appointed Senior Vice President of the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) in 2004. He organized policy dialogues involving medical device companies from both Japan and the United States, and led the development of policy recommendations to promote bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector. He also played a key role in helping Japan better understand the U.S. regulatory system. Through these efforts, he served as an important bridge, not only between governments, but also between industry stakeholders and researchers, making a significant contribution to strengthening Japan-U.S. cooperation in the medical field.

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.