TOKYO — The United States-Japan Foundation donated $15,000 to the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation to support its “Profile in Courage” Award ceremony jointly honoring Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for their historic rapprochement.

The two leaders took a major step toward strengthening ties as America’s two main allies in the Asia-Pacific during a trilateral summit with President Joe Biden at Camp David in August.

“This moment was possible because the leaders of South Korea and Japan have courageously worked to address sensitive historical issues that have prevented close cooperation,” the Kennedy Foundation said in announcing the honor. The August summit “affirmed the progress made between two of America’s closest allies and set the stage for increasing trilateral cooperation with the United States.”

“It is important for anyone with a stake in the U.S.-Japan relationship to show public support and encouragement for Tokyo’s improving ties with Seoul,” said USJF President Jacob M. Schlesinger. “It highlights the evolving needs of our alliance, and we are proud to lend our Foundation’s name to that effort.”

Caroline Kennedy — currently the U.S. ambassador to Australia, previously ambassador to Japan — is a member of the courage award committee and a former USJF Trustee. She presented the honor at a gala ceremony at the Kennedy Library in Boston on October 29.

The USJF was represented at that event by delegation of fellows in the Foundation’s US-Japan Leadership Program.

Contact: info@us-jf.org