Foreign Minister's Commendations for 2023

Consulate General of Japan in New York

On August 16th, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister's Commendations for 2023, which include two distinguished individuals from New York and Philadelphia.

The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in the various fields of international affairs, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas. These commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.

Mr. Douglas L. Peterson, Member of the Board of Directors, Japan Society

Mr. Peterson has been a prominent figure in the financial industry for many years and has contributed to the promotion of economic relationships between Japan and the U.S. through his activities with Japan Society, which aims to facilitate mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan. He has been a lecturer at Japan Society since 2008, and delivered the keynote speech at the 2014 annual dinner. Since 2017, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors, where he has been involved in major decisions. In addition, as Chairman of the U.S.-Japan Business Council, he co-chairs the U.S.-Japan Business Conference, which discusses various issues in economic relations from the holistic perspective of the business community.

Mr. Joseph S. Zuritsky, Member of the Board of Directors, Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

Mr. Zuritsky’s childhood fascination with Nishikigoi (Japanese koi) led him to start a Nishikigoi import and cultivation business in the U.S. He has visited Japan many times to deepen his knowledge and consult with Japanese Nishikigoi breeders, and he founded a non-profit organization, the Mid-Atlantic Koi Club. Also a founding member of Philadelphia’s Friends of the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, he donated koi fish to the pond at Shofuso and has promoted Nishikogoi on American television programs. Additionally, he has contributed to various activities of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia as a member of the Board of Directors.

The Consulate General of Japan in New York would like to express its deepest respect to the honorees for the contributions they have made to the region.