Consulate Activities
2024/9/25
2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation Conferment Ceremony for Hawaii Hochi Ltd.
On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Consul General’s Official Residence, Hawaii Hochi Ltd. was conferred the 2024 Foreign Minister’s Commendation.
Hawaii Hochi Ltd. introduced daily newspaper The Hawaii Hochi in 1912, followed by The Hawaii Herald in 1969 and The Aloha Yearbook in 1977. For over a century, The Hawaii Hochi provided essential local and Japanese political, economic, and cultural news in Japanese, playing a key role in the growth of the Japanese-American or Nikkei community. It was instrumental in fostering intellectual and social development within the Nikkei community, promoting understanding and enhancing mutual relations between the United States, Japan, and Hawaii.
At the ceremony, Consul General Kodama delivered a congratulatory message and expressed his gratitude for Hawaii Hochi Ltd.’s long-standing contribution to promote mutual understanding between Japan and Hawaii, followed by the conferment ceremony. Mr. Taro Yoshida, president of Hawaii Hochi Ltd. also delivered a speech, then Mr. Nate Gyotoku, President & Executive Director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the guests. Mr. Yoshida stated that the Hawaii Hochi has published valuable articles on the social and economic changes affecting Japanese Americans, helping to protect their rights and amplify their voice by sharing important stories with both the local and global communities. He also noted that this recent award from the Minister for Foreign Affairs serves as a reminder of the publication's contributions to the Japanese community.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
Opening Remarks – Consul General KODAMA Yoshinori
Conferment the Commendation – Consul General KODAMA Yoshinori
Recipient’s Speech – Mr. Taro Yoshida, president of Hawaii Hochi Ltd.
Guest’s Speech – Mr. Nate Gyotoku, President & Executive Director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
Kampai Toast –Mr. Ryozo Sakai, President of Hawaii Aloha Life Enrichment Association
Hawaii Hochi Ltd. introduced daily newspaper The Hawaii Hochi in 1912, followed by The Hawaii Herald in 1969 and The Aloha Yearbook in 1977. For over a century, The Hawaii Hochi provided essential local and Japanese political, economic, and cultural news in Japanese, playing a key role in the growth of the Japanese-American or Nikkei community. It was instrumental in fostering intellectual and social development within the Nikkei community, promoting understanding and enhancing mutual relations between the United States, Japan, and Hawaii.
At the ceremony, Consul General Kodama delivered a congratulatory message and expressed his gratitude for Hawaii Hochi Ltd.’s long-standing contribution to promote mutual understanding between Japan and Hawaii, followed by the conferment ceremony. Mr. Taro Yoshida, president of Hawaii Hochi Ltd. also delivered a speech, then Mr. Nate Gyotoku, President & Executive Director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the guests. Mr. Yoshida stated that the Hawaii Hochi has published valuable articles on the social and economic changes affecting Japanese Americans, helping to protect their rights and amplify their voice by sharing important stories with both the local and global communities. He also noted that this recent award from the Minister for Foreign Affairs serves as a reminder of the publication's contributions to the Japanese community.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
Opening Remarks – Consul General KODAMA Yoshinori
Conferment the Commendation – Consul General KODAMA Yoshinori
Recipient’s Speech – Mr. Taro Yoshida, president of Hawaii Hochi Ltd.
Guest’s Speech – Mr. Nate Gyotoku, President & Executive Director of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii
Kampai Toast –Mr. Ryozo Sakai, President of Hawaii Aloha Life Enrichment Association