Japanese Commendation for Professor Roger Goodman and Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies

On 29 September, the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hayashi Hajime awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Professor Roger Goodman and to the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies.

The commendation recognised Professor Goodman’s contribution to the development of Japanese Studies and the promotion of understanding of Japan in the UK and the world over for more than 40 years.

In addition to his current role as Warden at St Antony’s and Nissan Professor of Japanese Studies, Roger Goodman has been Director of the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies, Head of Social Sciences, Head of the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies at the University of Oxford, and President of the UK Academy of Social Sciences.

The Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies has been one of the world’s leading research and teaching centres on Japan since its establishment in 1981. The Nissan Institute is very active in the fields of social sciences, humanities, and area studies, attracting leading speakers from Japan, the UK, and around the world. In addition, the Nissan Institute/Routledge Japanese Studies Series has published over 100 books, contributing significantly to the development of Japanese Studies in the UK.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Hayashi paid tribute to Professor Goodman and the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies for their significant contribution to the development and promotion of Japanese Studies in the UK, and expressed his wish to further strengthen Japan-UK relations in various fields, including education.

In response, Professor Goodman and Professor Hugh Whittaker, Director of the Nissan Institute, while recalling their efforts and achievements, stated that they will continue playing a leading role in deepening Anglo-Japanese relationships in the field of academia.