The Fifth Kaneko Award for 2024 was recently announced by the America-Japan Society, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the United States. The recipients of this prestigious award include Ms Masako Kawai of Gifu, Ms Susan Schmidt of Colorado, and Mr Sadao Watanabe, who will receive a Special Award.
The Kaneko Award was established in 2017 to commemorate the centennial of the America-Japan Society, which was founded in 1917 to foster relations between the two countries. The award recognizes individuals who have worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to strengthen the bond between Japan and the United States. In addition to honoring those at the grassroots level, the award also acknowledges prominent figures who have made distinguished contributions to Japan-US relations.
The selection committee for the Kaneko Award is composed of esteemed individuals such as Mr Yuzaburo Mogi, Honorary Chairman of Kikkoman Co, Mr Christopher LaFleur, Vice President of the America-Japan Society, and Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, President of the America-Japan Society.
Among the recipients of the Fifth Kaneko Award is Ms Masako Kawai, who was recommended by the America-Japan Society of Gifu. Ms Kawai has dedicated her life to promoting international exchange and cooperation, particularly in the field of relations with the United States. She has organized various volunteer activities and events to introduce American culture to the local community, fostering an interest in English culture and studying abroad among high school students in Gifu Prefecture.
Another recipient of the award is Ms Susan Schmidt, who was recommended by the National Association of Japan America Societies. Ms Schmidt has played a pivotal role in advocating for Japanese language studies in the United States and has worked tirelessly to expand professional development opportunities for teachers. She has also been instrumental in building study abroad information databases and scholarship programs for American students studying in Japan.
The third recipient, Mr Sadao Watanabe, will receive a Special Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of jazz music. Mr Watanabe, a renowned saxophonist, has released over 80 leader albums and has been at the forefront of the jazz scene for over 70 years. He is known for incorporating musical elements from Brazil and Africa into his music, expanding the possibilities of jazz and creating iconic songs that have captivated audiences worldwide.
The America-Japan Society continues to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening the bond between Japan and the United States. The Kaneko Award serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations and the importance of people-to-people relations in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.