Dr. Menkhaus receiving the Commendation from Ambassador Nakane

Organized by the JSPS Bonn Office, JSPS Abend 2012 was held on 25 September in Bonn. This event is held every year to introduce JSPS's activities and expand the office's academic circle of German counterpart organizations, universities and researchers. Attended by many distinguished guests, this year's event celebrated JSPS's 80th anniversary along with the 20th anniversary of JSPS Bonn Office.

In his opening address, JSPS president Dr. Yuichiro Anzai expressed his hearty appreciation to all in attendance for their cooperation with JSPS and its Bonn Office over long years. Following him, a congratulatory message was delivered by Prof. Dr. Matthias Kleiner, president of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

On this occasion, a ceremony to award the 2012 Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation was held by Mr. Takeshi Nakane, Ambassador of Japan. After offering a congratulatory message to the JSPS Abend organizer and guests, Ambassador Nakane conferred the Minister's Commendation on the German JSPS Club. Prof. Dr. Heinrich Menkhaus, chair of the German JSPS Club, received the award as the association's representative.

Dr. Anzai giving a lecture

Also highlighting the event was a special lecture by Dr. Anzai on the theme "Mind and Brain," which informed the guests on functions of the human brain and entertained them with quizzes.

In the latter half of the event, Prof. Dr. Margret Wintermantel, president of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), and Dr. Enno Aufderheide, secretary general of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), delivered congratulatory addresses. Dr. Anzai and the JSPS staff chatted and exchanged greetings with the guests while enjoying an interlude of fascinating harp music. The event closed with words of appreciation by Prof. Dr. Keiichi Kodaira, director of JSPS Bonn Office.

- JSPS Bonn Office

Celebrating the Foreign Minister’s Commendation on the Club

A gathering was also held in Japan on 7 November to announce the conferral of the commendation on the Club. It was attended by alumni members residing in Japan, representatives of German and Japanese academic institutions and government agencies, and Japanese researchers.

The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields, conferred to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also aims to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.