Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY2026 - Dr. Robert Feinberg and Mrs. Betsy Feinberg

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. Dr. Robert Feinberg and Mrs. Betsy Feinberg will receive the Commendation in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of Japanese culture in the United States.

Dr. Robert Feinberg and Mrs. Betsy Feinberg began collecting Edo-period paintings around 1980 and amassed a great number of fine works. These artworks were donated to the Harvard Art Museums, where they have been on public display since 2024, significantly contributing to the promotion of Japanese culture. The collection is regarded as one of the finest in the United States and has been featured in traveling exhibitions throughout Japan. Furthermore, Dr. and Mrs. Feinberg have long supported scholars of Japanese culture in both Japan and the United States, working for many years in collaboration with professors of Japanese art at Harvard University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and others to hold seminars for university students. Through their publishing activities, they have also helped cultivate young scholars, making a tremendous contribution to the advancement of Japanese cultural studies.

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.