Conferment Ceremony of a Japanese Imperial Decoration for The Honorable Secretary Cisneros, former Mayor of San Antonio
2025/8/1
From left: Mrs. Cisneros, Secretary Cisneros, Consul General Naganuma, Congressman Castro, San Antonio Mayor Jones, Bexar County Judge Sakai
Speech from Secretary Cisneros
Congressman Castro and Consul General Naganuma
Reception
Speech from Consul General Naganuma at the Celebratory Concert
On July 30, a conferment ceremony of the Japanese Imperial Decoration was held at Toyota Texas Experience Center (TTEC), located adjacent to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio. The ceremony honored Secretary Henry Gabriel Cisneros, former Mayor of San Antonio (former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and current President of the Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation). He was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, as announced April 29, in recognition of his significant contributions to the promotion of exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Because Secretary Cisneros actively advocated for the construction of TMMTX and made significant contributions to its establishment, TTEC was selected to hold the ceremony.
Consul General Naganuma expressed his congratulations and presented Secretary Cisneros with the decoration certificate and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Following this, Secretary Cisneros conveyed his heartfelt gratitude. More than 200 people attended the conferment ceremony, and among them were many distinguished guests from San Antonio, including U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, Co-Chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus; San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones; and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai. The Consul General and Congressman Castro engaged in a brief conversation, discussing the Japan-U.S. relationship as they deepened their friendship. Furthermore, later that evening, more than 400 guests shared in the pleasure of a celebratory concert honoring Secretary Cisneros' award.
Consul General Naganuma expressed his congratulations and presented Secretary Cisneros with the decoration certificate and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Following this, Secretary Cisneros conveyed his heartfelt gratitude. More than 200 people attended the conferment ceremony, and among them were many distinguished guests from San Antonio, including U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, Co-Chair of the U.S.-Japan Caucus; San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones; and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai. The Consul General and Congressman Castro engaged in a brief conversation, discussing the Japan-U.S. relationship as they deepened their friendship. Furthermore, later that evening, more than 400 guests shared in the pleasure of a celebratory concert honoring Secretary Cisneros' award.