2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals
2026/4/29
On April 29th, 2026, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. These decorations are conferred to foreign nationals who made significant contributions to the promotion of friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan. We are pleased to announce that among the 94 recipients this autumn, the following Canadian citizen will be decorated.
Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
Mr. Mackenzie Donald Clugston
Former Ambassador to Japan
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Contributed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendly relations between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Ms. Nancy Jacobi
Founder, The Japanese Paper Place (Former CEO)
Toronto, Ontario
Contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture in Canada and friendship and goodwill between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Norman Kiyomitsu Takeuchi
Visual Artist
Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution of promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and Canada in the field of art
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Ms. Dori Gingera-Beauchemin
Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Contributed to promoting interregional exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Henry Hiroshi Wakabayashi
Former Vice Chair of Vancouver Japanese Canadian Redress Committee
Burnaby, British Columbia
Contributed to improving the social status of Japanese Canadians and promoting friendship between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Akira Watanabe
Former President of Oto-Wa Taiko
Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution of introducing Japanese culture in Canada and promotion of friendly relations between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Eric Thomas Sherlock
Former Local Employee, Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia
Contributed to the activities of the Japanese overseas establishment
Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
Mr. Mackenzie Donald Clugston
Former Ambassador to Japan
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Contributed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendly relations between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Ms. Nancy Jacobi
Founder, The Japanese Paper Place (Former CEO)
Toronto, Ontario
Contributed to the promotion of Japanese culture in Canada and friendship and goodwill between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Norman Kiyomitsu Takeuchi
Visual Artist
Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution of promoting cultural exchanges between Japan and Canada in the field of art
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Ms. Dori Gingera-Beauchemin
Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Contributed to promoting interregional exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Henry Hiroshi Wakabayashi
Former Vice Chair of Vancouver Japanese Canadian Redress Committee
Burnaby, British Columbia
Contributed to improving the social status of Japanese Canadians and promoting friendship between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Akira Watanabe
Former President of Oto-Wa Taiko
Ottawa, Ontario
Contribution of introducing Japanese culture in Canada and promotion of friendly relations between Japan and Canada
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Decoration: The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays
Mr. Eric Thomas Sherlock
Former Local Employee, Consulate-General of Japan in Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia
Contributed to the activities of the Japanese overseas establishment
Links
Decorations and Medals in Japan (Cabinet Office)