CFR President and Senior Fellow Awarded Prestigious Japanese Honors

The Government of Japan has announced Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) President Michael Froman and John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies Sheila A. Smith as recipients of the 2025 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals, among Japan’s most prestigious honors, for their distinguished achievements in advancing U.S.-Japanese economic relations and mutual understanding.

“In recognition of [Ambassador Michael Froman’s] contributions towards strengthening bilateral relations between Japan and the United States in the field of economy, he will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star,” announced the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. “In recognition of [Sheila A. Smith’s] contributions towards promoting mutual understanding and cultural exchanges between Japan and the United States, she will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.”

Ambassador Froman’s contributions to U.S.-Japan relations include his service as the U.S. trade representative under the second Barack Obama administration from 2013 to 2017, where he promoted a rules-based, international, and open trade system and made significant contributions to Japan’s participation in and conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. The announcement also underscored his work as a CFR fellow from January 2017 and since assuming the position of CFR president in July 2023. In both positions, he visited Japan multiple times and contributed to promoting intellectual exchange between Japan and the United States by utilizing his wide network of contacts with Japanese government officials, members of Parliament, experts, media, and others to exchange views.

“I am honored to receive the Order of the Rising Sun. I have a deep appreciation for Japan, Japanese culture, and the Japanese people—stemming all the way back to my days working as a young law student in Tokyo during the summer of 1989,” said Ambassador Froman. “As U.S. trade representative, it was a privilege to negotiate a historic trade deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with my Japanese counterparts, in an effort to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations for generations to come. I look forward to further strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship during my tenure as CFR’s president.”

Dr. Smith’s notable contributions to U.S.-Japan relations include her work as U.S. chair of the U.S.-Japan Council on Cultural and Educational Exchange (CULCON), where she led the council’s efforts to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Japan and to nurture the next generation, contributing to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The announcement further highlighted her service as a CFR senior fellow since 2007, where she leads research on Japan’s foreign policy and cultivates public understanding of Japan in the international community. Through those activities, she has made significant contributions to the development of U.S.-Japan relations, including the promotion of mutual understanding.

“I am deeply touched by this honor of receiving the Order of the Rising Sun,” said Dr. Smith. “As U.S. chair of CULCON, it was a privilege to help sustain the incredible partnership between the citizens of the United States and Japan, bolstering U.S.-Japan relations as a result. I am delighted to see so many young Japanese and Americans now leading our path forward and strengthening cooperation between both countries.”

The prime minister of Japan will bestow the awards on May 9 at a special ceremony in Tokyo, and the emperor of Japan will host the recipients at the Imperial Palace.

Visit the press release for Ambassador Froman’s award and the press release for Dr. Smith’s award for more information.