Japan's minister for foreign affairs recognizes WWU trustee Ralph Munro
On Aug. 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan decided to award the Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Gratitude to former Washington state Secretary of State Ralph Davies Munro in recognition of his contributions to deepening understanding and strengthening ties between the United States and Japan.
Munro has cultivated many personal connections with Japan, especially among the country’s government and political officials, and has been an invaluable resource for welcoming Japanese dignitaries to Washington state. Munro has led multiple trade missions to Japan, helping to open doors for new economic opportunities.
During the 1995 Hanshin Awaji and 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake disasters, Munro took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of bilateral relations and appeal for local support for the disaster victims in Japan.
During his service as State Secretary of State between 1981 and 2001, Mr. Munro promoted deeper ties with Washington’s sister-state Hyogo, including supporting the establishment of the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center in Washington State in 1990. In 1993, Mr. Munro was instrumental in planning a successful Washington-Hyogo Sister-State 30-year anniversary celebration and was a major contributor to the 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations, as well.
Mr. Munro’s many and continuing contributions to U.S. and Washington State-Japan relations are sincerely appreciated and well deserving of the Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Gratitude.