Conferment Ceremony of a Japanese Imperial Decoration for John M. Stich, former Honorary Consul-General in Dallas
2021/10/23
Last year, it was announced that Mr. John M. Stich, former Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Dallas, had been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his contributions toward promoting exchange and friendship between Japan and the United States.
On September 24 of this year, Consul-General Hideo Fukushima hosted a ceremony in Plano to formally confer the decoration, which was attended by a few select guests, including Mr. Stich’s close friends and family.
The Consul-General began by saying he was deeply honored to present the decoration as one of his final duties before completing his tenure in Texas. He expressed gratitude for the contributions Mr. Stich made over his 16 years of service as Honorary Consul-General, which included greatly expanding the footprint of Japanese businesses in the region, and promoting grassroots exchange between the people of Japan and North Texas. He also praised Mr. Stich for selflessly providing aide to Japanese nationals as the “face of Japan” in North Texas, and concluded by expressing admiration for the lasting mark he has made on the friendship between the two regions.
Mr. Stich then offered his own remarks, where he began by thanking the Consul-General and saying he was honored to receive the decoration. He noted that none of his success would be possible without the efforts of many others, including his wife Christiana Stich, the late Ms. Naoko Shirane, and leading members of the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. He then warmly recalled his experience as the vice chairman of the highly-successful 2012 Japan-America Grassroots Summit in North Texas, before discussing business relations and concluding by saying it has been an honor to serve the people of Japan.
Consul-General Fukushima then presented Mr. Stich with the Patent of Decoration and formally placed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on him, after which a few select guests were invited to offer remarks.
Dr. Hisashi Sam Shichijo, the new Honorary Consul of Japan in Dallas, spoke first. He thanked Mr. Stich for his guidance and friendship, and expressed his hope to carry forward Mr. Stich’s legacy of distinguished service.
Amb. J. Thomas Schieffer, the Ambassador of the United States to Japan (2005-2009), spoke next. He praised Mr. Stich’s hard work and selflessness as essential qualities for building the “special relationship” between Japan and the United States, which has been vital to global peace and prosperity.
Mayor Paul Voelker of the City of Richardson then offered his own congratulatory remarks, saying that Richardson greatly appreciates its Japanese residents and businesses, and celebrates the growing number of small and medium Japanese companies locating there.
Lastly, Mr. Hideto Nishitani, the Founder and CEO of Virtuous Capital, offered thanks on behalf of the region’s Japanese business community, noting Mr. Stich’s great accomplishments, and uncanny ability to help others in achieving their goals.
A short video of the ceremony can be viewed at the link below:
https://youtu.be/ewYwQ8OPnZo
(Photos Courtesy of Robin Mallon)
On September 24 of this year, Consul-General Hideo Fukushima hosted a ceremony in Plano to formally confer the decoration, which was attended by a few select guests, including Mr. Stich’s close friends and family.
The Consul-General began by saying he was deeply honored to present the decoration as one of his final duties before completing his tenure in Texas. He expressed gratitude for the contributions Mr. Stich made over his 16 years of service as Honorary Consul-General, which included greatly expanding the footprint of Japanese businesses in the region, and promoting grassroots exchange between the people of Japan and North Texas. He also praised Mr. Stich for selflessly providing aide to Japanese nationals as the “face of Japan” in North Texas, and concluded by expressing admiration for the lasting mark he has made on the friendship between the two regions.
Mr. Stich then offered his own remarks, where he began by thanking the Consul-General and saying he was honored to receive the decoration. He noted that none of his success would be possible without the efforts of many others, including his wife Christiana Stich, the late Ms. Naoko Shirane, and leading members of the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth. He then warmly recalled his experience as the vice chairman of the highly-successful 2012 Japan-America Grassroots Summit in North Texas, before discussing business relations and concluding by saying it has been an honor to serve the people of Japan.
Consul-General Fukushima then presented Mr. Stich with the Patent of Decoration and formally placed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on him, after which a few select guests were invited to offer remarks.
Dr. Hisashi Sam Shichijo, the new Honorary Consul of Japan in Dallas, spoke first. He thanked Mr. Stich for his guidance and friendship, and expressed his hope to carry forward Mr. Stich’s legacy of distinguished service.
Amb. J. Thomas Schieffer, the Ambassador of the United States to Japan (2005-2009), spoke next. He praised Mr. Stich’s hard work and selflessness as essential qualities for building the “special relationship” between Japan and the United States, which has been vital to global peace and prosperity.
Mayor Paul Voelker of the City of Richardson then offered his own congratulatory remarks, saying that Richardson greatly appreciates its Japanese residents and businesses, and celebrates the growing number of small and medium Japanese companies locating there.
Lastly, Mr. Hideto Nishitani, the Founder and CEO of Virtuous Capital, offered thanks on behalf of the region’s Japanese business community, noting Mr. Stich’s great accomplishments, and uncanny ability to help others in achieving their goals.
A short video of the ceremony can be viewed at the link below:
https://youtu.be/ewYwQ8OPnZo
(Photos Courtesy of Robin Mallon)