The School receive Ambassador’s Commendation at the Embassy of Japan

On Thursday 8 October 2026, The Royal Ballet School was awarded the Ambassador’s Commendation at the Embassy of Japan by His Excellency Hiroshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to the UK.  

The commendation was awarded to the School for our role in fostering cultural exchange and friendship between Japan and the United Kingdom through training many talented Japanese students in London and developing our Intensive Course offering in Tokyo.  

This achievement is thanks to Kinoshita Group’s longtime transformational support of the School. 

The ceremony commenced with heartfelt speeches by Ambassador Suzuki and Royal Ballet School CEO Patrick Harrison, followed by the presentation of the Commendation. 

Ambassador Suzuki expressed his deep respect for the School’s longstanding achievements and highlighted its contribution to the success of Japanese ballet dancers around the world, as well as to the development of ballet in Japan. 

‘I am particularly honoured, as Ambassador of Japan, to recognise The Royal Ballet School’s long and outstanding contribution at this important milestone. For 100 years, the School has nurtured talented young dancers from around the world and helped them pursue their dreams on the world stage.

One of the most outstanding graduates is Ms Miyako Yoshida, who became the first Japanese woman to become a Principal at The Royal Ballet. Miyako-san is now Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Japan and bringing about changes in the Japanese ballet world, drawing on what she learned here. Japanese ballet has flourished, in part thanks to the knowledge and experience she gained at your School and in the UK.  I believe this is not unique to Japan, indeed it is no exaggeration to say that your School is helping to shape the future of ballet around the world. The close connection between The Royal Ballet School and Japan has also been supported for many years by the Kinoshita Group, led by Mr Kinoshita, who is with us this evening. The Group has supported the School for 10 years, helping many young Japanese dancers to pursue their dreams. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to The Royal Ballet School, the Kinoshita Group, as well as other supporters of the School, the teachers and staff who support students from Japan, and everyone who has helped to build this wonderful connection through ballet between Japan and the UK.  

I sincerely hope that the friendship which has been built over the years between The Royal Ballet School and Japan will continue to grow and flourish for many more years to come.’ 

 
In response, Mr Harrison reflected on the enduring friendship between Japan and the UK, which is strengthened by a shared love of ballet, and expressed his gratitude for receiving the award. 

‘Japanese students have long been an important part of our community, and we are proud to provide world-class training and a home-away-from-home for these aspiring artists. Our relationship with Japan reflects the power of ballet to connect people, cultures and nations. As we enter our second century, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Japan and inspiring future generations of dancers together.’ 

To conclude the formalities, Mr Harrison then presented Strength and Grace: Portraits of The Royal Ballet School to Ambassador Suzuki as a token of appreciation.  

Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet School Iain Mackay then delivered a toast to the guests to signal the start of the cocktail reception.  

Key attendees at the event included Minister Masaki Ikegami, Deputy Head of Mission, Minister Shuji Maeda, Minister for Public Diplomacy and Minister for Public Relations, Media, and Culture, CEO and President of the Kinoshita Group Naoya Kinoshita, Academic and Pastoral Principal David Gajadharsingh, Chair of The Royal Ballet School Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, Royal Ballet School Governors the Hon. Anna Birkett, Suzi Brennan, Annie Davis, Alistair Summers, Kevin O’Hare CBE and President of the American Friends of The Royal Ballet School Ida Levine. 

We were delighted that School alumni Momoko Hirata, 2003 graduate now Principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet, Yu Kurihara, 2018 graduate now Principal of Birmingham Royal Ballet and Yuki Nagayasu, 2025 graduate now Artist of The Royal Ballet, could also be in attendance for this special occasion.  

For 100 years, The Royal Ballet School has trained young dancers from Japan and around the world and launched them onto the international stage. 

Over the past 10 years alone, 14 Japanese students have graduated from The Royal Ballet School, including four in the last year. They are now performing with prestigious ballet companies, namely The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet in the UK, as well as several companies around the world, with many going on to become soloists, principals and artistic leaders.  

We look forward to continuing this relationship for the next 100 years. 

Photo credit: The Embassy of Japan

Bridget Clark is the Marketing and Communications Manager at The Royal Ballet School and joined the School in 2024. She enjoys sharing the untold stories of the School and its students, and updating the wider arts community with news, events and announcements.