2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals (April 29, 2026)
On April 29th (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields. The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver is pleased to announce the following recipients within its jurisdiction has been awarded the decoration in recognition of their endeavors. The details of the recipients are as follows:
| Name: | Brigadier General Nicholas B. Evans |
| Major Title: | Former Commander of the 18th Wing, U.S. Air Force, Japan |
| Decoration: | The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon |
| Service: | Contributed to promoting relations between Japan and the United States on national defense. |
| Address (Nationality): | Colorado (United States of America) |
Summary of Contributions:
Since assuming the position of Commander of the 18th Wing, 5th Air Force at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan in July 2023, Brig. Gen. Evans has demonstrated exceptional ability, a strong sense of mission, and outstanding leadership in commanding his unit. He has contributed greatly to maintaining and strengthening the Japan-U.S. Security Alliance, as well as enhancing Japan’s defense posture and promoting goodwill between Japan and the United States. During his tenure, Brig. Gen. Evans strove to foster mutual understanding and trust between the U.S. Air Force and local residents, and contributed to strengthening close ties with the local community through initiatives such as “America Fest,” a public open-base event at Kadena Air Base. Having fulfilled his duties as Commander in July 2025, he currently holds a key position as the Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.
| Name: | Mr. John Hopper |
| Major Title: | Founder and former President of the Amache Preservation Society |
| Decoration: | The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays |
| Service: | Contributed to promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States through the preservation activities of Japanese American history. |
| Address (Nationality): | Granada, Colorado (United States of America) |
Summary of Contributions:
While working as a teacher at Granada High School, Mr. Hopper founded the Amache Preservation Society in 1993 to preserve the site of the Granada War Relocation Center (commonly known as Amache), one of the Japanese American incarceration camps established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II. For many years, he worked closely with his students to carry out preservation, research, and educational activities at the site, contributing to friendship, goodwill, and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Fostered by these long-standing efforts, the site was formally designated as the Amache National Historic Site in February 2024.
[Reference]
Amache Preservation Society
https://amache.org/amache-preservation-society/
Amache (National Park Service’s website）
https://www.nps.gov/amch/index.htm