Conferment of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. James Heron

On January 16, a conferment ceremony for Mr. James Heron, recipient of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for 2024, was held at the official residence of the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto. Mr. Heron was awarded the Minister’s Commendation for his distinguished contributions as the Executive Director of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Canada. Since 2001, Mr. Heron has overseen the operations of the JCCC, which has promoted mutual understanding among larger communities about Japanese culture by regularly running cultural and martial arts classes and hosting diverse events. Mr. Heron was also the initiator of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival, which screens dozens of carefully selected Japanese films every year.  In attendance among the guests was the Hon. Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who also gave congratulatory remarks. 

Click here to read the Consul-General’s opening remarks.