Dr. Stephen (Steve) Hiro Sumida, Former Chair, American Studies Association-Japanese Association for American Studies Project Advisory Commitee, and Professor Emeritus with the Dept. of American Ethnic Studies, will receive a Commendation from the Japanese government this Fall.
In 1989, Dr. Sumida began participating in planning an academic exchange program in American studies between the American Studies Association - the largest American studies organization in the U.S. - and the Japanese Association for American Studies, the main American studies association in Japan. He served as the program's Executive Committee Chair from 1997 to 2008. Beyond directing and coordinating the program, with Dr. Gail Nomura as co-coordinator, he single-handedly handled annual grant applications and other tasks, dedicating himself to fostering academic exchange. This program deepened relations between the two associations and contributed to the development of American studies in Japan. Furthermore, he assumed leadership of the American Studies Association, as president-elect in 2001, president in 2002-2003, and has contributed to promoting academic exchange between the two countries by actively participating in lectures and conferences in Japan.