FOREIGN MINISTRY OF JAPAN COMMENDATION 2014
Japanese Consul General Tsutomu Himeno presents the Foreign Minister's Commendation to JASNH vice president Sawako Gardner (right, on stage) and Peter Bowman, JASNH Board member and Charles B. Doleac, JASNH president. The Ceremony took place at Wentworth By the Sea Hotel where in 1905 the Japanese peace conference delegation hosted an appreciation banquet the night before the Portsmouth Peace Treaty was signed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
Press release (July 28, 2014) issued by the Consulate General of Japan in Boston:
Beginning in 1994 and in many subsequent years, the Society organized the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum. In 2005, as part of the year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty organized by JASNH, the Society created an exhibit now displayed in the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum, created a website that is a scholarly resource for information about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty negotiations, devised the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail, together with maps to key sites in the history of the Peace Treaty negotiations, and sponsored a Teacher’s Guide to the Portsmouth Peace Treaty for grades 4-12.
In 2010, a bill initiated by the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire was passed by the New Hampshire Legislature and signed into law by the Governor making Sept. 5--the day that the Portsmouth Peace Treaty was signed in 1905--Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day throughout the state. Also on Sept. 5 every year, the Society ensures that bells are rung throughout the city as an acknowledgement of the important role that the people of Portsmouth played in facilitating the negotiations in the summer of 1905. In 2013, in collaboration with the City of Portsmouth, the Japan-America Society installed an historic marker to the Peace Treaty in the center of the city. In addition, the Society has been an active participant in the Portsmouth-Nichinan Sister City relationship and in the creation of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial of cherry trees planted around the state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan decided to award the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire to show its support for the activities of the Society, and in recognition of the many years of service that the Society has performed on behalf of promoting Japan-U.S. exchange and furthering mutual understanding between the countries.
On receiving news of the Commendation, Japan America Society of NH president, Charles B. Doleac commented, “We are honored that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends the efforts of the Japan-America Society of NH to strengthen the tradition of citizen diplomacy in New Hampshire. People-to-people efforts, like those demonstrated in Portsmouth during the Treaty proceedings of 1905, are still the most important foundations for peace we have.”
Press release (July 28, 2014) issued by the Consulate General of Japan in Boston:
Beginning in 1994 and in many subsequent years, the Society organized the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Forum. In 2005, as part of the year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty organized by JASNH, the Society created an exhibit now displayed in the Portsmouth Historical Society Museum, created a website that is a scholarly resource for information about the Portsmouth Peace Treaty negotiations, devised the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Trail, together with maps to key sites in the history of the Peace Treaty negotiations, and sponsored a Teacher’s Guide to the Portsmouth Peace Treaty for grades 4-12.
In 2010, a bill initiated by the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire was passed by the New Hampshire Legislature and signed into law by the Governor making Sept. 5--the day that the Portsmouth Peace Treaty was signed in 1905--Portsmouth Peace Treaty Day throughout the state. Also on Sept. 5 every year, the Society ensures that bells are rung throughout the city as an acknowledgement of the important role that the people of Portsmouth played in facilitating the negotiations in the summer of 1905. In 2013, in collaboration with the City of Portsmouth, the Japan-America Society installed an historic marker to the Peace Treaty in the center of the city. In addition, the Society has been an active participant in the Portsmouth-Nichinan Sister City relationship and in the creation of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Living Memorial of cherry trees planted around the state.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan decided to award the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to the Japan-America Society of New Hampshire to show its support for the activities of the Society, and in recognition of the many years of service that the Society has performed on behalf of promoting Japan-U.S. exchange and furthering mutual understanding between the countries.
On receiving news of the Commendation, Japan America Society of NH president, Charles B. Doleac commented, “We are honored that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commends the efforts of the Japan-America Society of NH to strengthen the tradition of citizen diplomacy in New Hampshire. People-to-people efforts, like those demonstrated in Portsmouth during the Treaty proceedings of 1905, are still the most important foundations for peace we have.”