Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation Awarded to Mr. J. Paul Watkins, Professor Emeritus at University of Tennessee

On November 9, Consul-General Yoichi Matsumoto presented the Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Mr. J. Paul Watkins, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee, during the award ceremony at Mr. Watkins’ residence in Knoxville, TN. Consul-General Matsumoto recognized and thanked Mr. Watkins for his contribution to the sister-city relationship between Knoxville and Muroran, Japan for many years. The award is conferred upon Mr. Watkins in recognition of his contribution to the friendship and goodwill between Japan and other countries through his efforts to promote mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Mr. Watkins thanked the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and accepted the award while praising those who cooperated in the activities related to the Knoxville-Muroran relationship.