Washington Toho Koto society

On August 4, 2022 (Japan Time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the recipients of the Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2022. Mrs. Okamoto Kyoko is among this year’s foreign recipients. She receives the commendation in recognition of her contributions to the promotion of Japanese culture in the United States of America.

Mrs. Okamoto founded the Washington Toho Koto Society in 1971, and since that time, has played and taught Koto as President for more than 50 years. She has also taught at the University of Maryland, Musicology and Ethnomusicology as part-time faculty for about 50 years. Mrs. Okamoto has contributed greatly to the promotion of Japanese music and culture in the United States and worked to promote friendly relations between the two countries.

Every year, 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.