Consulate Activities
2026/3/24
2025 Fall Imperial Decoration Conferment Ceremony for Maj. Gen. George B. Rowell IV
Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Rowell and Consul General and Mrs. Chotoku
Maj. Gen. Rowell and Attendees
On March 18, 2026, at the Consul General’s Official Residence, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon was conferred upon Maj. Gen. George B. Rowell IV, who served as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces Japan and as the U.S. Representative to the Japan-U.S. Joint Committee.
Maj. Gen. Rowell dedicated himself to strengthening the defense and security cooperation between Japan and the United States. Through his leadership in U.S. Forces Japan and his coordination in the Joint Committee, he contributed significantly to regional security and stability. He ensured smooth and continuous information sharing among U.S. Forces Japan Headquarters, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Japan Joint Staff, thereby enhancing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. He also promoted mutual understanding between U.S. Forces personnel and the local Japanese community through active engagement with the region.
At the ceremony, Consul General Hideaki Chotoku delivered a congratulatory message, expressing deep respect for Maj. Gen. Rowell’s significant contributions to the Japan-U.S. Alliance and his role in strengthening cooperation between the two countries. In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Rowell expressed his profound honor at receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, emphasizing his pride in contributing to Japan-U.S. defense cooperation and his gratitude for the support of his colleagues, the local community, and his family. He also noted that this decoration symbolizes the enduring bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace, stability, and further cooperation between the two nations.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
Maj. Gen. Rowell dedicated himself to strengthening the defense and security cooperation between Japan and the United States. Through his leadership in U.S. Forces Japan and his coordination in the Joint Committee, he contributed significantly to regional security and stability. He ensured smooth and continuous information sharing among U.S. Forces Japan Headquarters, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Japan Joint Staff, thereby enhancing the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. Alliance. He also promoted mutual understanding between U.S. Forces personnel and the local Japanese community through active engagement with the region.
At the ceremony, Consul General Hideaki Chotoku delivered a congratulatory message, expressing deep respect for Maj. Gen. Rowell’s significant contributions to the Japan-U.S. Alliance and his role in strengthening cooperation between the two countries. In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Rowell expressed his profound honor at receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, emphasizing his pride in contributing to Japan-U.S. defense cooperation and his gratitude for the support of his colleagues, the local community, and his family. He also noted that this decoration symbolizes the enduring bond of the Japan-U.S. Alliance and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace, stability, and further cooperation between the two nations.
The program for the Conferment Ceremony was as follows:
- Congratulatory Remarks – Consul General Hideaki Chotoku
- Conferment of the Imperial Decoration
- Recipient’s Speech – Maj. Gen. George B. Rowell IV
- Congratulatory Message – Video messages by representatives from the Japanese and U.S. governments