Mr. Hideo Dale Kaku, Former Commander of the Nisei Veterans Committee, Inc.
On April 29, 2023 (JST), the Government of Japan announced that Mr. Hideo Dale Kaku, Former Commander of the Nisei Veterans Committee, Inc., has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in recognition of his contributions in improving the welfare of the Japanese and Japanese American community in the United States and promoting friendship between Japan and the United States.
• Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
• Service: Contributed to improving the welfare of the Japanese and Japanese American community in the United States and promoting friendship between Japan and the United States
• Major Titles: Former Commander, Nisei Veterans Committee, Inc.; Former President of the Board of Directors, Kawabe Memorial House; Executive Secretary, Nikkei Community Network
Summary of Contributions:
From 2004, Mr. Kaku served for two years as Commander of the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC), and before and afterward has served a total of 12 years as its Vice Commander, making significant contributions to fostering friendly relations and promoting exchange between Japan and Nisei veterans by re-establishing their ties with Japan.
In 2008, he joined the management of Kawabe Memorial House, an elderly housing complex, and as President from 2010 to 2015, worked to improve the management of the facility for its long-term operations and to expand Japanese-style services for Japanese and Japanese American residents. Through these efforts he made significant contributions to improving the welfare of Japanese and Japanese Americans living in the United States.
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Mr. Akira Takeda, Former Local Staff Member of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
On April 29, 2023 (JST), the Government of Japan announced that Mr. Akira Takeda, former local staff member of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, has been awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, in recognition of his contributions to the activities of Japanese diplomatic establishments abroad.
• Decoration: Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays
• Service: Contributions to the activities of Japanese diplomatic establishments abroad
• Major Titles: Former Local Staff Member of the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
Summary of Contributions:
For 39 years, Mr. Takeda worked at the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle as a local staff member in charge of cultural affairs, where he made a significant contribution to the spread and promotion of Japanese culture in the region by organizing and supporting Japanese cultural events. In addition, he actively participated in local community activities, including receiving the "Akira Takeda Day" proclamation from the City of Seattle. Cooperating with the local community, he contributed to the understanding of Japanese culture in the area.
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Mr. Takeyuki Suetsugu, President of Seattle’s Japanese Restaurant Association
On April 29, 2023 (JST), the Government of Japan announced that Mr. Takeyuki Suetsugu, President of Seattle’s Japanese Restaurant Association, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in recognition of his contributions to the promotion of Japanese food culture and its continuation among the next generation as an educator.
• Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
• Service: Promotion of Japanese food culture and its continuation among the next generation as an educator
• Major Titles: President of Seattle’s Japanese Restaurant Association
Summary of Contributions:
As a chef who has been serving authentic Japanese cuisine for more than 50 years, Mr. Suetsugu has been active in the culinary front lines in the United States, and has greatly promoted the understanding of Japanese ingredients and food culture through lectures and performances at various community events. As an educator, he has also made significant contributions to the development of Japanese culinary professionals, including through the establishment of a cooking school to pass on the techniques and culture of Japanese cuisine to the next generation in the United States.
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