Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2026 (24 September 2026)
2026/9/25
On 24 September, Mr. Melchior von Muralt, former Chair of the Joint Commission of the Empress Shōken Fund, was awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendation for FY 2026.
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas. The Commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.
Mr. Melchior von Muralt’s Achievements
Mr. Melchior von Muralt assumed the position of Chair of the Joint Committee of the Empress Shōken Fund in 2014, dedicating his time to promoting humanitarian assistance through the Red Cross. Established in 1912, the Fund provides financial support for Red Cross humanitarian activities worldwide, and as Chair, Mr. von Muralt directed considerable efforts toward ensuring that the Fund is managed in accordance with its founding principles. In particular, guided by the concept of Human Security advocated by the Government of Japan, he prioritized allocating grants to innovative and scalable projects that promote protection, empowerment, support for vulnerable populations, and resilience-building, thereby advancing initiatives that contribute to Japan’s foreign policy objectives. Furthermore, the Fund expanded significantly in scale during Mr. von Muralt’s tenure as a result of his efforts to ensure its sound management and operation and to enhance the visibility of funded projects. Under his stewardship, the number of supported projects increased approximately threefold and the total value of grants increased approximately fivefold, largely owing to higher investment returns. These achievements have contributed to promoting greater understanding of Japan’s foreign policy.
Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2026
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, in order to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries and areas. The Commendations also aim to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for the activities of the recipients.
Mr. Melchior von Muralt’s Achievements
Mr. Melchior von Muralt assumed the position of Chair of the Joint Committee of the Empress Shōken Fund in 2014, dedicating his time to promoting humanitarian assistance through the Red Cross. Established in 1912, the Fund provides financial support for Red Cross humanitarian activities worldwide, and as Chair, Mr. von Muralt directed considerable efforts toward ensuring that the Fund is managed in accordance with its founding principles. In particular, guided by the concept of Human Security advocated by the Government of Japan, he prioritized allocating grants to innovative and scalable projects that promote protection, empowerment, support for vulnerable populations, and resilience-building, thereby advancing initiatives that contribute to Japan’s foreign policy objectives. Furthermore, the Fund expanded significantly in scale during Mr. von Muralt’s tenure as a result of his efforts to ensure its sound management and operation and to enhance the visibility of funded projects. Under his stewardship, the number of supported projects increased approximately threefold and the total value of grants increased approximately fivefold, largely owing to higher investment returns. These achievements have contributed to promoting greater understanding of Japan’s foreign policy.
Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2026