Conferment of the Ambassador’s Award on Mr. Ted Tetsuo Itani
2022/4/19
On April 12, 2022, Ambassador Kawamura conferred the Ambassador’s Award on Mr. Tetsuo Ted Itani (deceased), for his distinguished career to promote the friendly relationship between Japan and Canada, as well as his esteemed service towards world peace and his humanitarian works.
A third generation Japanese Canadian born on Vancouver Island, Mr. Itani joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a young man, and served for 37 years until retirement. His military career included various overseas assignments including UN peacekeeping missions in the Horn of Africa, Pakistan, Iran/Iraq and the former Yugoslavia. For 26 years after retirement from the military, he committed himself to humanitarian works with International Red Cross and other initiatives in response to major natural disasters around the world. He also became an advisor to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, where he drew on his own experiences to help design peacekeeping training courses. He was invested into the Order of Canada in 2016. Mr. Itani passed away in March 2021 after he became the victim of a tragic accident near his home in Ottawa in January of the same year.
The conferment ceremony, long awaited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was warmly held with the participation of Mrs. Frances Itani, their daughter, Samantha, and two granddaughters, Campbell and Tate, at the Ambassador’s residence.
In his remarks, Ambassador Kawamura extended his sincere regards to Mr. Itani’s esteemed contribution. Mrs. Frances Itani expressed her gratitude for the Ambassador’s Award.
A third generation Japanese Canadian born on Vancouver Island, Mr. Itani joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a young man, and served for 37 years until retirement. His military career included various overseas assignments including UN peacekeeping missions in the Horn of Africa, Pakistan, Iran/Iraq and the former Yugoslavia. For 26 years after retirement from the military, he committed himself to humanitarian works with International Red Cross and other initiatives in response to major natural disasters around the world. He also became an advisor to the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, where he drew on his own experiences to help design peacekeeping training courses. He was invested into the Order of Canada in 2016. Mr. Itani passed away in March 2021 after he became the victim of a tragic accident near his home in Ottawa in January of the same year.
The conferment ceremony, long awaited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was warmly held with the participation of Mrs. Frances Itani, their daughter, Samantha, and two granddaughters, Campbell and Tate, at the Ambassador’s residence.
In his remarks, Ambassador Kawamura extended his sincere regards to Mr. Itani’s esteemed contribution. Mrs. Frances Itani expressed her gratitude for the Ambassador’s Award.
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| Conferment of the Certificate of Award from Ambassador Kawamura to Mrs. Itani |
Ambassador Kawamura giving his congratulatory address |
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| Mrs. Frances Itani speaking a few words |
Ambassador Kawamura and Mrs. Itani |
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| With Itani Family | |