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Conferment Ceremony of Japan Imperial Decoration (June 21, 2013)
A conferment ceremony in honor of Mr. Paul Kuniaki Maruyama was held at the Consul General’s Residence on June 21, in which Mr. Maruyama received the Imperial decoration “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette”. About 65 people attended the ceremony and following reception, including Mr. Maruyama’s family members and several members of the Japan-America Society of Southern Colorado (JASSC) and the area Japanese-American and Japanese community. Former US Olympic judo team coach and teammate Yoshi Uchida and (former US Senator) Ben Nighthorse-Campbell from the Tokyo Olympics were both present at the ceremony and spoke about Mr. Maruyama.
Consul General Ono expressed the highest respect for Mr. Maruyama’s long time contribution to the promotion of Japan-US relations, including his efforts in founding of JASSC and the John Manjiro Whitfield Foundation in the US, his dedication to Japanese language education at the US Air Force Academy and other institutions, and toward the spread of Judo and other Japanese culture. In gratitude, Mr. Maruyama expressed his appreciation to his family and the people around him. He touched upon his father Mr. Kunio Maruyama, also an Imperial award recipient, who contributed to the return of Japanese nationals left in Manchuria after WWII.
The Consulate General of Japan in Denver expresses its congratulations and the highest respect and gratitude to Paul Maruyama for his outstanding achievement.
