2025 Mondale Award Nominations (Online)

We are currently accepting nominations for the Mondale Award for Japan–Minnesota Partnership. If you know an individual or organization that exemplifies this spirit, we’d love to hear from you!

Please click here for a list of criteria for the Mondale Award and here to nominate someone. 

The due date for nominations is August 18, 2025. 

Every year, the Japan America Society of Minnesota presents the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership to an individual or organization that has been nominated by the membership and selected by a committee of the Board of Directors. Purpose: The Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership is presented by JASM to recognize outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota. 

After Walter Mondale returned to Minnesota in 1997, having served with distinction as Ambassador to Japan, JASM created the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership. The award was first presented to Joan and Walter Mondale to recognize his work as an ambassador to Japan and her ongoing efforts to promote the arts in both countries. The Mondale's epitomized JASM's core value of fostering meaningful connection between Minnesota and Japan. Through this award, JASM celebrates individuals and organizations who are dedicated to bringing Japan and Minnesota closer together.

Recent awardees include: 

Ann McCarthy and Patricia Thornton (2024)

Dick Stahl (2023)

Gayle and Judith Fleming (2022)

Sarah Walbert (2021) 

Bill Deef (2020)

Patricia Katagiri (2019)

You can find a complete list of awardees by clicking here.

We cannot wait to receive your nominations!