Recipients of the Eighth Nakasone Yasuhiro Award
Mr. Robert D. Eldridge, PhD
Award of Excellence
Born: January 23, 1968
United States of America
Occupation: Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, G-7;
Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer, Marine Corps Installations Pacific (Okinawa, Japan)

In his extensive research into US-Japan relations, Dr. Eldridge strongly affirms theimportance of the bilateral relationship. He possesses a depth of knowledge about thecurrently controversial issue relating to Okinawa. In 2009 he resigned his post as university
faculty to take his current post as Political Affairs and Public Diplomacy Officer to work
toward resolving issues surrounding Okinawa with a view to improving the US-Japanrelationship. Besides his work in Okinawa, Dr. Eldridge was involved in disaster relief in theTohoku region of Japan after the March 11, 2011 earthquake disaster through “OperationTomodachi” which fostered friendly relations between the US and Japan. During a time ofmutual distrust between the two countries, the work by Dr. Eldridge was determined to havegreat value in improving the important relationship between the US and Japan, and to peaceand security in the region. The Nakasone Yasuhiro Award is granted in recognition of theresearch and activities led by Dr. Eldridge.
Mr. Zubaidullo Ubaidulloev, PhD
Incentive Award
Born: August 29, 1973
Republic of Tajikistan
Occupation: Research Fellow, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
University of Tsukuba, Japan (until January 31, 2012)

Using source materials in India and other countries, Dr. Ubaidulloev conducted research andanalysis of the relationship between Japan and India in geopolitical terms, especially withrespect to the Tokyo Tribunal, in which the victors administered justice to the vanquished,
and the view of Japan held immediately after the war by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru. He asserts that Prime Minister Nehru’s perspective contributed to peace and stability
in Asia. In addition, in his work Dr. Ubaidulloev notes that Japan and India share the value of
democracy and can together strengthen the link between other democratic nations topositively influence the region. This important research was determined to contribute tobuilding peace and stability in Asia, and the Nakasone Yasuhiro Award is granted toencourage continuing work.
Ms. Chigusa Tanaka BA
Incentive Award
Born: June 28, 1978
Occupation: President
NPO Anacott Cambodia

Japan

As a volunteer for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ms. Tanaka went toCambodia to work toward restoring the education system that had been destroyed after thebrutal reign of the Pol Pot administration. Following the conclusion of her term at JICA, inresponse to the earnest requests of the people there, Ms. Tanaka remains in Cambodia tocontinue her volunteer work. Teaching music and physical education, she also serves as theassistant to the principal and provides training and support to other teachers at the school
while also accepting children as a foster parent. The devotion evident in these steady efforts
focused on-site in the field were determined to be worthy of commendation and recognition toencourage younger generations to take on this kind of endeavor.