Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Kelly Anthon has received a prestigious commendation from the Japanese Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of his decades of work strengthening cultural and economic ties between Idaho and Japan.

The commendation was announced September 22 at the Idaho State Capitol by Consul General Masahiro Todoriki, who traveled from the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Oregon, to meet Senator Anthon and his wife Joelle (Rogers) Anthon.  A formal ceremony will be held later this year at the Capitol to present the Ministry’s physical framed award which is still enroute from Tokyo.

Senator Anthon’s connection to Japan began at the age of 15, when he participated in a 4-H exchange program that took him from his family’s farm in Southern Idaho to Nara, Japan. This early experience sparked a lifelong interest in Japan and a dedication to building bridges between Idaho and the far-east nation. Fluent in Japanese, Anthon, a lawyer, businessman, and economic development leader, has spent much of his professional career working with Japanese companies seeking to invest in Idaho, while also helping to open new markets in Japan for Idaho products.

Over the years, Senator Anthon has been invited annually to visit the Japanese Ambassador to the United States at his residence in Washington, D.C., and was recently a featured speaker at the celebration of the Japanese Emperor’s birthday in Portland—a national holiday in Japan.

In accepting the commendation, Senator Anthon emphasized the lessons Americans can learn from the transformation of U.S.-Japan relations since World War II. He often invokes the biblical imagery of “beauty for ashes” to describe the remarkable friendship and partnership that has flourished between the two nations in recent decades.  

“Japan is already a vital export partner for Idaho, but there is so much more opportunity for us to expand and deepen this relationship,” said Senator Anthon. “I am honored to accept this recognition not only for myself, but for the people of Idaho whose spirit of friendship and cooperation continues to make these bridges possible.”

Kelly Anthon serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Idaho Senate. As the Senate President Pro Tempore, Senator Anthon serves in the top elected leadership position in the Idaho State Senate and is second in line of succession to the Governor.  He was raised on a farm in Southern Idaho, and has dedicated his life to public service and advancing Idaho’s economic opportunities.