Consulate Activities
2025/12/16
2025 Foreign Minister’s Commendation Conferment Ceremony
Members of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans
Members of the 442nd Legacy Center
On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Consul General’s Official Residence, the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans, the 442nd Legacy Center, and the Military Intelligence Service Veterans Hawaii were conferred the 2025 Foreign Minister’s Commendation.
These three organizations have, for many years, worked to preserve and pass on to future generations the identity and glorious achievements of US military units primarily composed of Japanese Americans, through activities such as preserving and exhibiting historical materials, holding memorial services, and public relations activities. Through these activities, the three organizations have contributed to the preservation and dissemination of the history of Japanese Americans in the United States, thereby contributing to the improvement of the status of Japanese Americans in the United States, and to the promotion of deeper mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and Hawaiʻi, and consequently between Japan and the United States.
At the ceremony, Consul General Chotoku expressed deep appreciation for the organizations’ longstanding efforts in preserving the history of Japanese American veterans and promoting Japan–U.S. exchange and mutual understanding. This was followed by the reading and presentation of the certificates, after which representatives from each organization delivered remarks.
Ms. Hayashi conveyed gratitude for the Foreign Minister’s Commendation, reflected on their longstanding work in supporting veterans and fostering Japan–U.S. friendship, and expressed appreciation to all those involved. Mr. Okemura also delivered remarks, referencing the history of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland, and conveyed that this honor will further invigorate the organization's commitment to preserving and passing down the history to future generations. Ms. Kikukawa reflected on the Military Intelligence Service through her family’s wartime experiences, highlighted the important role the unit played during the war, and expressed her gratitude for receiving the award.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
Opening Remarks – Consul General CHOTOKU Hideaki
Conferment the Commendation – Consul General CHOTOKU Hideaki
Recipient’s Speech – Ms. Kathleen Hayashi, President, 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans
Mr. Karl Okemura, President, 442nd Legacy Center
Ms. Karen Kikukawa, President, Military Intelligence Service Veterans Hawaii
These three organizations have, for many years, worked to preserve and pass on to future generations the identity and glorious achievements of US military units primarily composed of Japanese Americans, through activities such as preserving and exhibiting historical materials, holding memorial services, and public relations activities. Through these activities, the three organizations have contributed to the preservation and dissemination of the history of Japanese Americans in the United States, thereby contributing to the improvement of the status of Japanese Americans in the United States, and to the promotion of deeper mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and Hawaiʻi, and consequently between Japan and the United States.
At the ceremony, Consul General Chotoku expressed deep appreciation for the organizations’ longstanding efforts in preserving the history of Japanese American veterans and promoting Japan–U.S. exchange and mutual understanding. This was followed by the reading and presentation of the certificates, after which representatives from each organization delivered remarks.
Ms. Hayashi conveyed gratitude for the Foreign Minister’s Commendation, reflected on their longstanding work in supporting veterans and fostering Japan–U.S. friendship, and expressed appreciation to all those involved. Mr. Okemura also delivered remarks, referencing the history of Japanese Americans in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland, and conveyed that this honor will further invigorate the organization's commitment to preserving and passing down the history to future generations. Ms. Kikukawa reflected on the Military Intelligence Service through her family’s wartime experiences, highlighted the important role the unit played during the war, and expressed her gratitude for receiving the award.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
Opening Remarks – Consul General CHOTOKU Hideaki
Conferment the Commendation – Consul General CHOTOKU Hideaki
Recipient’s Speech – Ms. Kathleen Hayashi, President, 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans
Mr. Karl Okemura, President, 442nd Legacy Center
Ms. Karen Kikukawa, President, Military Intelligence Service Veterans Hawaii
Members of the Military Intelligence Service Veterans Hawaii