Four USJC members who work for the Hawaiian Electric Company were recently honored at a dinner hosted by Consulate General Koichi Ito in Honolulu. The Consulate thanked Hawaiian Electric (whose President/CEO is Council Leader Alan Oshima) for welcoming Foreign Minister Taro Kono, a Friend of the Council, in August. Council Leader Darcy Endo-Omoto (Vice President of Government & Community Affairs at Hawaiian Electric), who had met the Foreign Minister through the 2018 Japanese American Leadership Delegation program, was instrumental in organizing the visit.
Council Leaders Alan Oshima, Darcy Endo-Omoto and Brennon Morioka, as well as Associate Yoh Kawanami at the Consul General's residence. Consul General Ito, Deputy Consuls General, and other Hawaiian Electric executives join them.
Ms. Fish poses with her award
Congratulations to USJC Board Member Atsuko Fish, who received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette from the Government of Japan. Emperor Akihito presented Ms. Fish with the award in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace on November 7. Ms. Fish was recognized for her contribution to the advancement of women’s leadership in Japan through the Japanese Women's Leadership Initiative. In honor of the conferment, Ms. Fish announced the establishment of the Women’s Social Change Fund to further advance women's leadership in Japan.
Council Leader Anne Morse also received a decoration as part of the 2018 Autumn Conferment. Dr. Morse was recognized for her contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States through fine arts.
On November 28, Member of the USJC Board of Councilors Hiroyuki Fujita was named Honorary Consul of Japan in Cleveland. Honorary Consuls are appointed to protect the welfare of local Japanese residents and promote cultural exchanges in regions where the Government of Japan has no office established. Dr. Fujita was appointed because of his wide range of knowledge and experiences and his deep understanding of Japanese society.
