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November
3, 2009
On
November 3, 2009, the Government of Japan has announced 2009 Autumn
Conferment of Japanese 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 two from
Hawaii
are among those who will receive such decorations:
○ Ms.
Caroline Matano Yang, the former Executive Director of
Japan
-United States Educational Commission and Chair of the Fulbright Scholarship
Board, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon,
for her distinguished contribution to the promotion of the educational
exchange between
Japan
and the
United States
. Ms. Yang served as an Executive Director of JUSEC for 20 years and
vitalized the scholarship programs during her terms. In 1979, she took a
strong initiative to create a new management style under the cooperation of
both Japanese and
U.S.
governments for the Fulbright Program in
Japan
thus contributing to the continuation of the program in
Japan
. Ms. Yang was also instrumental in materializing innovative programs which
led to the vitalization of educational exchange. Many Fulbright Scholarship
recipients became leaders in various fields of the Japanese society
including the recipients of Nobel Prize Award.
○ Ms. Jean Masako
Sakihara, Lecturer of the University of Hawaii Laboratory School will
receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for her many
years of distinguished work to introduce Japanese culture featuring Kimono
(Traditional Japanese dress) in
Hawaii
. Ms. Sakihara started teaching Japanese and Kimono culture in the
University of Hawaii Laboratory School in 1981 and has been a lecturer of
that field for 28 years. She was also instrumental in establishing the
credit course on Kimono Culture in
University
of
Hawaii
. Ms. Sakihara also dedicated her work in teaching Kimono wearing at the
community level for many years and contributed to promoting Kimono culture
and Japanese tradition at the grass roots level. With her expertise in
Japanese culture, she also contributed to promoting exchange activities
between
Japan
and
Hawaii
by initiating the sisterly relations between UH
Laboratory
School
and high schools in
Japan
.
For
information regarding
Japan
’s decorations and medals, please refer to the website:
http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/english/
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