Professor Yoshiko Mori Honored for Advancing Japanese Language and Culture Education in the U.S.
When professor Yoshiko Mori learned she had been selected for the Foreign Minister’s Commendation (外務大臣表彰) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan earlier this year, she immediately thought of the broader community of Japanese educators.
“I received this award on behalf of the Japanese language educators here in the United States,” she said. “There are lots of teachers working hard for American students. I’m one of them, and I’m very happy that Japan recognizes our time and effort.”
The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations.
For Mori, a professor and director of the Japanese Language Program in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the College of Arts & Sciences, it underscores the importance of Japanese language and cultural education at a time when world language enrollment is declining across the country.
A National Leader and Advocate
From left to right: Nasiombe Mutonyi, Yoshiko Mori’s husband, Mori, Peggy Breer, a member of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai Washington DC Association, and Hiroshi Ando, the Education Counsellor for the Embassy of Japan, at an award ceremony at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan on Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)
Mori recently served as president of the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), an organization of more than 1,000 teachers nationwide. During her presidency, advocacy became a central part of her work.
“Language enrollment is declining in the United States, and Japanese programs are following the same trend, even though Japanese remains the fourth most studied language, according to the Modern Language Association’s recent survey,” she said.
She also serves as Chief Reader of the AP Japanese Language and Culture exam, working with high school teachers and strengthening the bridge between secondary and college-level programs.
“I take advantage of every single opportunity to get to know Japanese language educators at different levels,” Mori said. “I’ve had lots of opportunities to learn about education beyond the college level.”
Expanding Worldviews Through Languages
For Mori, language learning is never just about grammar and vocabulary.
Foreign language education is fundamental for good communication. Even if we have AI or translation apps, good interpersonal relationships — political or otherwise — are based on communication, and you need language skills for that.
Yoshiko Mori
She emphasized that learning another language expands a student’s worldview:
“If you know only one language, you have only that view and culture,” Mori said. “Foreign language education is the best way to expand your thoughts, your view and your cultural perspective.”
The guests at the Foreign Minister’s Commendation award ceremony included Georgetown students, faculty from the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, officers of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) and other colleagues of Mori. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)
Her engagement with Japanese teaching integrates both on-campus and community-based cultural experiences. Students participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the presentation contest J.LIVE Talk and cultural events at the Embassy of Japan, such as Seijin-shiki, a Japanese coming-of-age ceremony. Georgetown will also be hosting the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) this month.
“These activities connect students with different people on campus and off campus,” she said. “They give students chances to participate, to visit Georgetown and to see what the community looks like.”
Weekly language tables, cultural activities and a student association help create a lively learning environment she hopes more students will join. Curriculum wise, she wants to expand the discussion on campus about how AI can support, rather than replace, language and culture learning.
The Joy and Value of Learning Japanese
Yoshiko Mori, right, was presented with the Foreign Minister’s Commendation by Shigeo Yamada, Japan’s ambassador to the U.S., left, at the Residence of the Ambassador of Japan. (Photo courtesy of the Embassy of Japan)
Mori’s commitment — to students, to her colleagues, and to the field of Japanese language education — embodies the spirit of the Foreign Minister’s Commendation. The award reflects not only her achievements, but her dedication to strengthening cultural understanding through language learning.
Mori believes role models in language studies are essential.
“In order to raise the incentive to be a Japanese language teacher, we need role models,” she said. “In that sense, I’m very happy to be one of the recipients [of the commendation], and I want more teaching professionals to get attention.”
Looking forward, Mori hopes to see more Georgetown students discover the joy and value of learning Japanese.
“I want more students to consider a major, second major or minor in Japanese,” she said. “Learning Japanese is both fun and rewarding — culturally and academically. Our classes are engaging and challenging, our professors are supportive and approachable and there are plenty of exciting cultural activities to enjoy. Come join us and experience it for yourself!”