Dr Declan Downey Awarded with Commendation of Foreign Minister of Japan

On 1 December 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for 2020.

This year's Commendations were awarded to 172 individuals and 65 groups worldwide, including Dr Declan Downey, University Professor in Modern European and Japanese Diplomatic History, University College Dublin, School of History, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland. The recipients will be presented with an award certificate. The ceremony which normally takes place each year will not be held this year, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Dr Downey is a leading researcher in Japanese studies in Ireland and plays an important role in fostering young researchers. He has a profound knowledge of the history of Japanese diplomacy and Prime Minister YOSHIDA Shigeru. As an Advisor to the Asian Strategy Committee, Department of the Taoiseach, Government of Ireland, 1998-2005, Dr Downey was actively engaged in promoting the understanding of Japan in Ireland. His significant achievements include collaborating in cultural and academic activities of the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, such as a symposium to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration and a seminar on the Japanese Imperial Family.

The Commendations of the Foreign Minister of Japan 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.

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(Contact)
Information & Culture Section, Embassy of Japan in Ireland
Tel: 01 - 202 8300, E-mail: culture@ir.mofa.go.jp
Website: http://www.ie.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html