Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2017

On June 29, 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for 2017. Mr James Millar, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Fusion Whisky Ltd, is among the recipients. He was awarded the commendation for his contributions in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Millar, as political adviser to a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2000, contributed to the establishment of the first Cross-Party Group on Japan, and also to the establishment of the Japanese Language Group, with a view to promoting Japanese Language education in Scotland.  Mr Millar was also invited by the Aberdeen City Council to draft an engagement strategy between the city and Japan. As a Visiting Lecturer at Robert Gordon University, Mr Millar has been assisting the University to establish closer links with Japanese universities.  Furthermore, Mr Millar came up with the idea of the first fusion whisky with malt whiskies from Scotland and Japan, leading to the production of “The Glover” whisky, thus contributing to the strengthening of relations between Japan and Scotland.

The Foreign Minister's Commendation is awarded to individuals and groups for outstanding achievements, to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and the rest of the world. This year, the Commendation has been awarded to 193 individuals and 45 groups worldwide.

For the announcement, click here.

For the list of Foreign Minister Commendations 2017 (individuals), click here.