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ANNOUNCEMENT

2010 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Decorations Awarded to Three from Hawaii

 On November 3, 2010, the Government of Japan will confer decorations to individuals of merit in recognition of their national or public services and in honor of their distinguished accomplishment in various areas of society.  The following three from Hawaii are among those who will receive such decorations:

l       Ms. Mary Y. Matayoshi, former Director of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s College of Continuing Education and Community Service, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for her contribution to the promotion of mutual understanding and good relationship between Japan and the United States. In her time as Director, she devoted herself to promoting academic exchanges between Japan and the United States through agreements with Japanese Universities, such as Tokai University.  She was one of the first teachers to offer language courses and lessons in American culture for researchers at the Japan-America Institute of Management Science.  Her record of achievements in the field of community service were widely respected which led to her appointment as Director of the state’s Department of Volunteer Services by then-Governor Ben Cayetano.  After retiring from public service, she established a non-profit organization in 2002 called the Volunteer Resource Center of Hawaii which is an organization that coordinates an exchange program for Japanese college students interested in social work.  Ms. Matayoshi’s accomplishments have contributed to improving the position of Japanese Americans in Hawaii and have fostered the advancement of reciprocal relations between Japan and the United States.

l       Mr. Hiroshi Arisumi, a WWII veteran who co-founded the ‘Arisumi Brothers’ construction company after returning to Maui from the war, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for his contribution to the promotion of cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. He has been a generous benefactor to the Maui Japanese Community Association and the Japanese Cultural Society of Maui since the 1950s and a steadfast supporter of their programs that promote friendly relations, cultural exchanges, and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.  As a surviving member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, he ardently supported the effort to establish the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center on Maui since the idea was conceived in 1985 until it opened its doors in 2006.  In his role as President of the Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, he continues to work on programs to teach the youth and inform the public about the valor of and the sacrifices made by the Nisei (second generation; Americans born to Japanese immigrant parents) soldiers during the Second World War as well as contribute to the welfare of the local community through the center’s preschool and adult day care operations.  Mr. Arisumi’s generosity and his efforts have contributed to improving the position of Japanese Americans and promoting positive relationships between Japan and the United States.

l       Mr. Sadato Yanai, a former staff of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu for more than 21 years from 1971, will receive the Order of Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, for his contribution to Japanese Government and Japanese American community. During his employment at the Consulate, he devoted himself to reproducing official family registers of Okinawan families whose original documents had been destroyed by fire during World War II as well as to assisting Japanese citizens in Hawaii.  After retiring, he devoted himself to the caretaking of the Imperial Navy Cemetery which is located in the Makiki area of Honolulu and maintains its facilities and premises as the Director of Management.  He also serves as the President of ‘Mokuyo Gosankai,’ an organization with more than 90 years of history in the community which hosts regular meetings on Thursdays that give Japanese residents living in Hawaii opportunities to cultivate their knowledge.  Mr. Yanai’s devotion to Japanese society and its heritage in Hawaii have contributed to the promotion of positive relationships between Japan and the United States.

For information regarding Japan ’s decorations and medals, please refer to the website: 

http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/english/