Media

Dr. Yoshiko NAKANO, Director and Associate Professor, Department of Japanese Studies, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts, the University of Hong Kong (HKU), has been awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2021.

First introduced in 1984, the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups who have distinguished themselves in international fields, and is an acknowledgement of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and regions.

Dr. NAKANO joined the Department of Japanese Studies at HKU in 2000. The Commendation was made in recognition of her contributions in teaching and learning, and research.

Dr. NAKANO's research on intercultural communication has made a significant contribution to the study of globalisation of Japanese products and services. Through her teaching, generations of students have gained a critical understanding of Japan. She has championed experiential learning by providing students with opportunities to join academic exchange programs at prestigious Japanese universities, and through initiatives such as the “HKU–UTokyo Joint Summer Program,” which ran from 2013 to 2018.

She has been proactive in creating opportunities for students to interact with the wider Japanese community in Hong Kong, and establish bridges between the two. Examples of her efforts include the setting up of internships at the local branches of Japanese companies, and the supervision of the student-led annual “Japan Month,” a month-long celebration of Japanese culture. Many of her graduates have gone on to work for Japanese companies.

Dr NAKANO has played an important role within the Japanese community and was made a director of the Hongkong Japanese Club in 2007. She has spearheaded and contributed to various initiatives for the Club, including, most recently, a research project related to the Japanese graves in the Hong Kong Cemetery. Since 2018, she has also been a regular contributor to an NHK radio programme on Hong Kong current affairs.

Dr. NAKANO will be presented with the Foreign Minister’s Commendation at an official ceremony in Fall 2021.
 
For further details about the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2021, please visit:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press6e_000321.html
https://www.hk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/press_release.html#20210820b

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Natalie Yip, Executive Officer, Faculty of Arts, Tel: (852) 3917 4984 / email: natalie.yip@hku.hk.