2024 Spring Conferment of Decoration Ceremony (Ms. Sachiko Okuda)
2024/7/3
On July 3, 2024, Ambassador YAMANOUCHI Kanji conferred upon Ms. Sachiko Okuda, former President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association (OJCA), the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, at a ceremony held at the official residence of the Ambassador as part of the 2024 Spring Conferment of Decoration on Foreign Nationals.
Ms. Okuda, who was involved in the campaign to have the federal government of Canada recognize the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II and helped achieve the Redress Agreement in 1988, has served as president of the OJCA twice since 1990 and has been a key figure in Ottawa's Japanese Canadian community. As co-producer and co-host of "Contact Japan," Ottawa's only Japanese-Canadian TV program, she has promoted the activities of Japanese-Canadian community. As such, Ms. Okuda has greatly contributed to improving welfare of Japanese community in Canada and promoting friendship between Japan and Canada.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Yamanouchi delivered a congratulatory address in honour of Ms. Sachiko Okuda's achievements, and then conferred the certificate and decoration, which was followed by Ms. Okuda's acceptance speech.
Remarks were given by the Honourable Mona Fortier, P.C., M.P., Melisa Kamibayashi, OJCA President, and the son Alex and daughter Myma of Ms. Okuda.
In closing, The Honourable Andrew Cardozo, Senator, gave the toast.
The Government of Japan confers decorations to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan. Decorations were conferred upon 101 foreign nationals (including 7 recipients such as Ms. Okuda in Canada) in spring 2024.
Ms. Okuda, who was involved in the campaign to have the federal government of Canada recognize the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians during World War II and helped achieve the Redress Agreement in 1988, has served as president of the OJCA twice since 1990 and has been a key figure in Ottawa's Japanese Canadian community. As co-producer and co-host of "Contact Japan," Ottawa's only Japanese-Canadian TV program, she has promoted the activities of Japanese-Canadian community. As such, Ms. Okuda has greatly contributed to improving welfare of Japanese community in Canada and promoting friendship between Japan and Canada.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Yamanouchi delivered a congratulatory address in honour of Ms. Sachiko Okuda's achievements, and then conferred the certificate and decoration, which was followed by Ms. Okuda's acceptance speech.
Remarks were given by the Honourable Mona Fortier, P.C., M.P., Melisa Kamibayashi, OJCA President, and the son Alex and daughter Myma of Ms. Okuda.
In closing, The Honourable Andrew Cardozo, Senator, gave the toast.
The Government of Japan confers decorations to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan. Decorations were conferred upon 101 foreign nationals (including 7 recipients such as Ms. Okuda in Canada) in spring 2024.
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| Ms. Okuda accepting the certificate and decoration of the order |
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| The Hon. Fortier, P.C., M.P., giving remarks |
Ms. Kamibayashi, President of OJCA, giving remarks |
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| Ms. Okuda’s son Alex and daughter Myma giving remarks | The Hon. Cardozo, Senator, giving remarks |