Japanese Government honours Dr Robert John Pritchard and the 29th Summer Reunion for Peace and Friendship
2026/6/22
On 22 June, Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki hosted the 29th Summer Reunion for Peace and Friendship at the Embassy of Japan, and the Ceremony for the Bestowal of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, upon Dr Robert John Pritchard.
The first Summer Reunion took place at the Embassy in 1997 as a forum for former prisoners of war and former civilian internees and their families who had been detained or imprisoned for various reasons during the war, as well as individuals who had supported reconciliation projects, to talk to each other, to understand each other, and to promote reconciliation between Japan and the UK.
This year, approximately 170 participants attended. Attendees were delighted to reunite after a year and further strengthened their bonds of friendship.
On this occasion, Ambassador Suzuki bestowed The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, upon Dr Robert John Pritchard for his contribution to promoting reconciliation between Japan and the UK.
As a historian, for many years Dr Pritchard has devoted himself to research, primarily on the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. He has continued to contribute to the promotion of reconciliation between Japan and the UK through his research on Japan, which has helped foster mutual understanding between the two countries, and through his support for exchange programmes which focused on inviting young people, in particular the grandchildren of former prisoners of war and civilian internees to visit Japan.
Ambassador Suzuki expressed his delight that so many people from across the UK had attended the reception and expressed his sincere gratitude to all the people who have tirelessly endeavored to heal the wounds of the war, seek reconciliation, and foster friendship. He then paid deep respect and expressed his gratitude for the contributions of Dr Pritchard, who, as a historian and a bridge between Japan and the UK, made outstanding achievements in promoting post-war reconciliation between the two nations.
Dr Pritchard reflected on his own endeavours whilst expressing his gratitude for receiving the decoration.
The first Summer Reunion took place at the Embassy in 1997 as a forum for former prisoners of war and former civilian internees and their families who had been detained or imprisoned for various reasons during the war, as well as individuals who had supported reconciliation projects, to talk to each other, to understand each other, and to promote reconciliation between Japan and the UK.
This year, approximately 170 participants attended. Attendees were delighted to reunite after a year and further strengthened their bonds of friendship.
On this occasion, Ambassador Suzuki bestowed The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, upon Dr Robert John Pritchard for his contribution to promoting reconciliation between Japan and the UK.
As a historian, for many years Dr Pritchard has devoted himself to research, primarily on the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. He has continued to contribute to the promotion of reconciliation between Japan and the UK through his research on Japan, which has helped foster mutual understanding between the two countries, and through his support for exchange programmes which focused on inviting young people, in particular the grandchildren of former prisoners of war and civilian internees to visit Japan.
Ambassador Suzuki expressed his delight that so many people from across the UK had attended the reception and expressed his sincere gratitude to all the people who have tirelessly endeavored to heal the wounds of the war, seek reconciliation, and foster friendship. He then paid deep respect and expressed his gratitude for the contributions of Dr Pritchard, who, as a historian and a bridge between Japan and the UK, made outstanding achievements in promoting post-war reconciliation between the two nations.
Dr Pritchard reflected on his own endeavours whilst expressing his gratitude for receiving the decoration.
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