For outstanding contributions to the cultural exchange between the United States and Japan
Thayer Award History
The John E. Thayer, III Award was established in 1991 to commemorate the work and commitment of John E. “Jack” Thayer, III, a long time member of the Japan Society of Boston’s board of directors who was dedicated to furthering relations between Japan and the U.S. This award was established to recognize the achievements of individuals, groups of individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the progress of the understanding and friendship between the people of the United States and Japan.
​
The Society encourages the submission of nominations for exemplary projects, programs and activities in such areas as business, cultural exchange, education, public affairs, and visual and performing arts. The project may be a single event, a series of events, or an on-going project or activity. It may be in the form of, but is not limited to: artistic performances, educational programs, exchange activities, exhibitions, films, publications, video, visual arts, etc.
Current Thayer Award Recipients
Christine Pilcavage
Managing Director, MIT-Japan Program
​
Christine Pilcavage receives this award for her central role in program-building activities as Managing Director of the MIT-Japan Program in the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), where she works closely with MIT students, faculty, and staff to share Japanese culture and foster strong ties between Japan and the MIT community. She builds partnerships with Japanese corporations, startups, research institutions, and universities by connecting MIT students with internships and research opportunities in Japan. Through this work, she helps prepare students to serve as future “ambassadors” between the United States and Japan.
Chris has been promoting cultural exchange and understanding between the US and Japan throughout her career. She has worked with USAID, various Japanese Ministries, local governments, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. For the last 10 years, Chris has served as the Managing Director of the MIT-Japan Program, where she connects MIT students to Japan through industry and academic internships. Chris was born and raised in Japan, and has also lived in Cambodia, the Philippines, Kenya, and the United States. However, she considers herself to be a true Kansai-jin.
Her nomination reflects, “Anyone who knew Jack [Thayer] and has met Chris will immediately see the connection. Like Jack…Chris approaches challenges with determination. The term ‘indefatigable’ hardly does her justice. She has a unique ability to make people—from corporate leaders to engineers—feel valued and heard. In addition to her work at MIT, Chris is deeply engaged in the broader U.S.-Japan community. She is active in the US-Japan Foundation’s prestigious US-Japan Leadership Program, serves as co-chair of the New England chapter of the U.S.-Japan Council, and sits on the board of the Japanese American Citizens League’s New England chapter. She has consistently ‘gone the extra mile’ for MIT Japan interns and for US-Japan relations.”
A note from Chris: “I am honored to receive this year’s Japan Society of Boston’s Thayer Award joining a larger group of people who have dedicated their lives to strengthening the ties between the US and Japan. Looking back on my career spanning the fields of education, public health and international development I see an AKAI ITO—a ‘red thread of fate’—sewing the tapestry of my passion in bridging the two countries that I love so much. This Thayer Award will further fuel and energize my work. Thank you very much.”
​
And check out Chris's previous interview with JSB here.
Coolidge Corner Theatre
​
The Coolidge Corner Theatre receives this award for its distinction as one of the region’s foremost presenters of Japanese film, curating programs that have brought thousands of people together to experience the breadth, depth, and artistry of Japanese cinema. Its mission is “to entertain, inform and engage, building vital community through film culture,” and it fulfills this not only locally but also across cultures, including through its extensive and ambitious programming of Japanese cinema.
The nomination reflects, “This work has made the Coolidge a vital conduit for strengthening ties between Japan and the United States, fully embodying the spirit of the Thayer Award. The Coolidge’s programming has consistently highlighted Japanese cinema in ways that go beyond simple exhibition. By presenting retrospectives of legendary directors, contemporary works by emerging filmmakers, and themed series exploring cultural and historical contexts, the Coolidge creates meaningful encounters with Japanese culture.
"The Coolidge does not just showcase cinema; it builds cultural bridges, making Japanese culture more present, approachable, and celebrated in everyday community life. By bringing large groups of people together to experience Japanese cinema in this collective setting, the Coolidge uniquely fulfills its role as a 'community builder,' strengthening both local and cross-cultural ties. The Coolidge Corner Theatre’s dedication to showcasing Japanese cinema has made a lasting impact on Boston’s cultural landscape and on the many individuals who have been inspired, challenged, and connected through these films. By continually reinventing itself, fostering neighborhood cohesion, and cultivating loyal audiences, the Coolidge has strengthened ties between the United States and Japan while modeling the leadership, innovation, and timeliness that the Thayer Award seeks to honor.”
A note from the Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Executive Director & CEO, Katherine Tallman: “The Coolidge is greatly honored to receive The Thayer Award, which speaks directly to our mission ‘to entertain, inform, and engage — building a vital community through film culture.’ Our longstanding commitment to showcasing Japanese cinema is an extension of this mission – it has allowed us to highlight the many great cinema artists from Japan, and to partner with the esteemed Japan Society of Boston. It has been tremendously gratifying to see audiences across demographics discovering and enjoying these films. The Thayer Award is further validation of the Coolidge’s commitment to showcasing diverse, global perspectives in film."​
Previous John E. Thayer, III Award Recipients
30 - 2024
Stacie Matsumoto, Associate Director of the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies at Harvard University, for her hard work and many contributions to the activities of the Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies over the past twenty years and her dedication to
promoting U.S.-Japan cultural and academic exchanges at Harvard University
​
​29 - 2023
Akemi Chayama, Manager, Japan Program Educator at the Boston Children's Museum, for her dedication to promoting interest in the Kyo-no-Machiya over many years, providing quality Japanese programs at the Boston Children’s Museum, and supporting the Japanese teaching community in the Boston area.
​
28 - 2022
Dr. Sarah Thompson, Curator of Japanese Art at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
JB Line (Japanese Bostonians Support Line), a nonprofit organization that assists Japanese immigrants in the New England area by providing them with consultation, information, direct support services, and connection with other social resources.
27 - 2020
Debra Samuels, cookbook author, culinary educator and exhibit curator.
The Japan Festival Boston Committee, which works hard to bring together all communities as one with musical acts, food, and games at the Japan Festival Boston.
26 - 2019
Barry Frechette, Executive Product and Co-Director "Paper Lanterns" and Director of Creative Production, Connelly Partners.
Professor Allan Sosei Palmer, Teacher and Student of Chanoyu.
25 - 2018
Anne Nishimura Morse, William and Helen Pounds Senior Curator of Japanese Art, for her contribution to understanding between Japan and Boston through art and exchange.
24 - 2016
Salem-Ota Cultural Exchange, for their promotion of cross cultural understanding and friendship between the cities of Salem, Massachusetts and Ota, a borough of Tokyo.
23 - 2015
Kiyoko Morita, for her contributions to US - Japan relations.
​
22 - 2014
Arlington-Nagaokakyo, in recognition of 30 years as Sister City.
​
21 - 2013
Rachel Eio, teacher at Brookline High School, for spreading interest in Japanese language and culture to her students.
​
20 - 2012
Prof. Merry White is one of America’s most distinguished and most popular Japan scholars. Well known both for her academic publications as well as her popular writings, her teaching includes courses on Japanese society, women in Asia, food and culture, and the anthropology of travel and tourism.
​
19 - 2011
Dr. N. Stuart Harris, Dr. Takashi Shiga, and Dr. Kohei Hasegawa, from Mass. General Hospital, who together rushed from Boston to Kesennuma, Miyagi, on March 14 to help victims of earth quakes and tsunami.
​
18 - 2010
Prof. Donald Keene, for lifelong achievements.
​
17 - 2009
Tim Nagaoka, for excellence in teaching Language and Culture to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students in East Boston, Dorchester.
​
16 - 2008
Tiger Okoshi, jazz trumpeter, for Volunteerism at Higashi School for Autism.
Martha Wright, museum professional, for Public Education about the Arts of Japan.
​
15 - 2007
Asian Arts & Culture Program at University of Massachusetts and its Program Director, Ranjana Devi, for spreading an awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of the artistic and cultural heritages of Asia and the Middle East.
​
14 - 2006
John W. Dower, Ford International Professor of History, MIT, for lifetime achievements.
​
13 - 2005
Andrew Maske, former curator of Asian Art, Peabody Essex Museum and curator of “Geisha: Beyond the Painted Smile." (announced in 2006)
​
12 - 2004
Masataka Hata, President of Shoyeido Incense Company.
Makoto Yabe, Ceramic Artist for their lifetime achievements.
​
11 - 2003
The Center for Global Studies Abroad, Norwalk, CT for the dedicated efforts of the Japan program for more than a decade in fostering language studies and person-to-person exchanges between Norwalk and Japan.
​
10 - 2002
Charles Doleac, President of Japan-America Society of New Hampshire for promoting the Portsmouth Peace Treaty.
​
9 - 2001
Patricia Gercik, Managing Director of MIT Japan Program.
Kathleen Woods Masalski, Program Director for Five College Center for East Asian Studies at Smith College for lifetime achievements in programming U.S.-Japan relations.
​
8 - 2000
Seiji Ozawa, Music Director, for lifetime achievements.
7 - 1999
William Thrasher, Curator, for lifetime achievements.
6 - 1997
Sataro Narita, Mayor of Shariki Mura, Aomori, Japan, (sister city with Bath, Maine).
Fairhaven/New Bedford-Tosashimizu Sister City Committee, an all volunteer group that has ensured a continued and expanded relationship between two cities through numerous activities and cultural exchanges.
5 - 1996
John Cox, Director of Community Education for Medford Public Schools, for his involvement in the Japanese School in Medford.
4 - 1995
Nikki Hu, Choreographer and Guy Van Duser, Musician, for their production of the modern dance “A Thousand Cranes” performed by Boston and Japanese children at Hiroshima Peace Park on the 50th anniversary recognition of the bombing of Hiroshima.
3 - 1994
Dr. John Rosenfield, Harvard University Abby Rockefeller Professor of East Asian Art Emeritus for lifetime achievements.
2 - 1993
Yori Oda, Children’s Museum Trustee, for lifetime achievements.
1 - 1992
Leslie Bedford, former director of the Boston Children’s Museum for the Teen Tokyo exhibit at the Boston Children’s Museum.