Consul General Koichi Kawakami (right) poses with Mr. Sid Ikeda,
who has been conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays,
and his wife, Ms. Marie Ikeda.
(Photo courtesy of Nikka TImes)
Caring Japanese Canadian Decorated
For His Service to Community
Mr. Sid Ikeda, who has devoted his life to fostering unity and mutual support among the Japanese Canadian community, to raising the status of Japanese Canadians within the Canadian multicultural mosaic and to the betterment of Japan-Canada relations, has been conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays for his tireless service from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. A special ceremony was held on January 30 at the Residence of the Consul General of Japan, Mr. Koichi Kawakami, who presented the decoration to Mr. Ikeda on behalf of His Majesty.
The Consul General pins the decoration on Mr. Ikeda.
Consul General Kawakami described Mr. Ikeda as "a great friend of the Consulate General of Japan, and an outstanding member of the Japanese Canadian community."
Mr. Ikeda served three times as President of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) for a total of nine years before being appointed its Special Ambassador in 1999. He was instrumental in organizing the Japanese Canadian centennial celebrations in 1977, and in moving the JCCC to its new, current building in 1998. He was one of the founding members of the Momiji Health Care Society, which tends to Japanese Canadian elderly, and of the Japanese and Canadian Community Network Organization and the Canadian Multicultural Council-Asians in Ontario. He has received countless awards and recognitions, including the Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Ontario Government in 1996, the Consul General of Japan’s Commendation in 2001 and the Governor General of Canada Caring Canadian Award in 2004.
A reception followed the presentation ceremony, with Mr. Ikeda's family and friends
as well as notable members of the local community,
including Mr. Martin Kobayashi, President of the JCCC (right)
and Mr. James Heron, the JCCC's Executive Director.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family continued good health and happiness," said Consul General Kawakami to Mr. Ikeda. "Congratulations."