2023 Spring Conferment of Decoration Ceremony (Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya)
2023/7/28
On July 28, Ambassador Yamanouchi conferred upon Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya the decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays at a ceremony held at the official residence of the Ambassador as part of the 2023 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
With other Ikebana practitioners living in Ottawa, Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya contributed to promoting Ikebana in Canada, having founded the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter in 1967, served as President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter from 1974 to 1975, and established the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter. Furthermore, she dedicated herself to friendly relations between Japan and Canada as a volunteer in the activities of the Ottawa Japanese Canadian Association (OJCA) and so on.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Yamanouchi delivered a congratulatory address before conferring the certificate of award and decoration to Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya, which was followed by Ms. Furuya's acceptance speech. In addition, Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter gave a congratulatory address by sharing a celebratory statement from the headquarters of the Ikebana International. Ms. Melisa Kamibayashi-Staples, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association also delivered her congratulatory remarks.
The Government of Japan confers decorations to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan.
With other Ikebana practitioners living in Ottawa, Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya contributed to promoting Ikebana in Canada, having founded the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter in 1967, served as President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter from 1974 to 1975, and established the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter. Furthermore, she dedicated herself to friendly relations between Japan and Canada as a volunteer in the activities of the Ottawa Japanese Canadian Association (OJCA) and so on.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Yamanouchi delivered a congratulatory address before conferring the certificate of award and decoration to Ms. Grace Tomiko Furuya, which was followed by Ms. Furuya's acceptance speech. In addition, Ms. Anne Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter gave a congratulatory address by sharing a celebratory statement from the headquarters of the Ikebana International. Ms. Melisa Kamibayashi-Staples, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association also delivered her congratulatory remarks.
The Government of Japan confers decorations to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan.
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| Congratulatory address by Ambassador Yamanouchi |
Presentation of the Award and Certificate |
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| Ms. Furuya and Ambassador Yamanouchi holding the certificate |
Acceptance speech by Ms. Furuya |
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| Congratulatory address by Ms. Breau, President of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter |
Congratulatory address by Ms. Kamibayashi-Staples, President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association |
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| Ms. Furuya with the Members of the Ikebana International Ottawa Centennial Chapter |
Ms. Furuya with the Members of the Japanese Community |
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| Ms. Furuya with the Members of the Ohara School of Ikebana Ottawa Chapter | |