Brookings Scholar William Frenzel Awarded “Order of the Rising Sun” by Japan For Improving Trade and Understanding

William E. Frenzel, a guest scholar at the Brookings Institution and former Republican congressman from Minnesota, has been awarded one of Japan’s highest honors, the Order of the Rising Sun, with Gold and Silver Star, the Japanese Embassy in Washington announced.

According to the embassy, Frenzel will be presented with the honor at a ceremony on Wednesday, February 14, “for his contribution to the betterment of Japan-U.S. trade relations and the enhancement of American understanding of Japan.”

“It’s fitting that Bill Frenzel’s distinguished contributions to U.S.-Japan relations are being recognized in this fashion. He has long provided a voice of reason, common sense, and fair dealing for confronting tough issues in the relationship,” said Michael H. Armacost, president of Brookings and former U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Frenzel is the chairman of the Japan-American Society of Washington and vice chairman of the National Association of Japan-American Societies.

As a member of Congress, Frenzel was a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade and a congressional representative to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

As a guest scholar at Brookings, Frenzel has written extensively for the Brookings Review, the Institution’s quarterly journal. He also frequently writes articles and opinion pieces for major publications and is often interviewed on radio and television. His areas of expertise, in addition to trade and U.S.-Japan relations, include budget and fiscal policy, election and campaign law, international financial institutions, and taxes.