Consulate Activities

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the Consul General’s Official Residence, Mr. Arthur Katsumi Taniguchi, Honorary Consul of Japan in Hilo, was conferred the 2022 Spring Imperial Decoration, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his contributions to promote interregional exchanges and friendship between Japan and the United States. 

 

For 11 years, as the Honorary Consul of Japan in Hilo, Mr. Arthur Katsumi Taniguchi has been a vital connection, bridging together and supporting the activities of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu with the Big Island of Hawaii. He has actively participated with the Japanese Community Association of Hawaii and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawaii for over 20 years, serving as president of both organizations. Honorary Consul Taniguchi made significant contributions to the promotion of Japan-Hawaii relations.

 

At the ceremony, Consul General Aoki delivered a congratulatory message and expressed his gratitude for Mr. Taniguchi’s long-standing contribution to promote friendship between Japan and Hawaii, followed by the conferment ceremony. Mr. Taniguchi also delivered a speech, then, Mr. Goya, the past president of the Hawaii Japanese American Chamber of Commerce, delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the guests.

• Opening Remarks – Consul General Yutaka Aoki 
• Conferment the Decoration – Consul General Yutaka Aoki
• Recipient’s Speech – Mr. Arthur Katsumi Taniguchi
• Guest’s Speech – Mr. Tommy Goya, past president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on the Island of Hawaii
• Congratulatory Address – Mr. Dwayne Mukai, President of Japanese Community Association of Hawaii