Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto
在トロント日本国総領事館

Torontonian Conferred Decoration for Service

On Nov. 3, 2010 (Wed.), it was confirmed that Yoichi Saegusa, a Japanese immigrant to Toronto who has worked tirelessly for the city’s Japanese and Japanese Canadian communities, would be conferred The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.

Details relating to the conferment ceremony are as follows:

Date and Time: Nov. 9 (Tue); 11:30 am

Location: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tokyo, Japan (Note: There will be an audience with His Majesty The Emperor of Japan at the Imperial Palace following the ceremony)

Summary of Mr. Saegusa’s Accomplishments:

1. While holding executive positions in the New Japanese Canadian Association
   
   The NJCA was established in 1976 in order to enhance the status of the new Japanese immigrants, to retain and to promote Japanese culture in Canada, and to encourage exchange with other communities and organizations.  Mr. Saegusa has served repeatedly as its President as well as in various other executive positions.  During this time, he instituted the NJCA’s emergency contact network, and established Ikoi no En (Place of Rest) a cemetery that meets the cultural needs of the Japanese . He also enlisted support from the Japanese Canadian community to start Japanese language radio broadcasts, the NJCA’s newsletter and the Kaede Bunko (the Maple Library) a library consisting mainly of Japanese language books. 

2. Achievements in the Japanese and Japanese Canadian communities
   
   Mr. Saegusa also has worked to strengthen ties between newly arrived Japanese immigrants and long-standing members of the Japanese Canadian community.  He headed external relations efforts of the Toronto Kotobuki Kai (Longevity Club) and served on the board of directors of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

3. Awards
   
   1999 Ontario Volunteer Service Award (for 25 years of service)
   1999 The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Volunteer Service Award

UPDATE: Photos from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs