Hosting the Ceremony for the Commendation of the Head of the Japanese diplomatic mission for Mr. Carlo Capua
2026/1/17
From Left: Dr. Capua, Mr. Capua, Consul General Naganuma
On January 16, 2026, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston held a ceremony at the Consul General’s residence to present the Commendation of the Head of the Japanese diplomatic mission to Mr. Carlo Capua.
During the ceremony, Consul General Naganuma highlighted Mr. Capua’s service as an English teacher through the JET Program at schools in Nagaoka City; his significant contributions to promoting Japan–U.S. exchange upon returning to Fort Worth; his current role as Chair of the Board Directors of Sister Cities International; and his leadership in ensuring the great success of the 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit held in Izumisano City. The Consul General also noted that, today, divisions within the international community are intensifying, with inward-looking tendencies gaining strength worldwide. He emphasized that Mr. Capua’s work carries great significance for both Japan and the United States, as well as for the international community. In closing, he expressed his deep appreciation for Mr. Capua’s many contributions and conveyed his hopes for Mr. Capua’s continued success.
Mr. Capua stated that the saying “a frog in a well does not know the great ocean” reflects his own life, and that thanks to the support of his family and friends, he was able to take on new challenges and discover the wider world. He expressed how deeply honored he was to receive such recognition and conveyed his sincere gratitude to his family for their unwavering support. Ms. Patsy Brown, President and CEO of the Japan-America Society of Houston, spoke about the 2025 Sister Cities Summit, in which she also participated. She praised Mr. Capua’s outstanding leadership in planning and managing the summit and expressed her sincere delight at his receiving this commendation.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support and cooperate in sister city initiatives and other people-to-people exchange programs.
During the ceremony, Consul General Naganuma highlighted Mr. Capua’s service as an English teacher through the JET Program at schools in Nagaoka City; his significant contributions to promoting Japan–U.S. exchange upon returning to Fort Worth; his current role as Chair of the Board Directors of Sister Cities International; and his leadership in ensuring the great success of the 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit held in Izumisano City. The Consul General also noted that, today, divisions within the international community are intensifying, with inward-looking tendencies gaining strength worldwide. He emphasized that Mr. Capua’s work carries great significance for both Japan and the United States, as well as for the international community. In closing, he expressed his deep appreciation for Mr. Capua’s many contributions and conveyed his hopes for Mr. Capua’s continued success.
Mr. Capua stated that the saying “a frog in a well does not know the great ocean” reflects his own life, and that thanks to the support of his family and friends, he was able to take on new challenges and discover the wider world. He expressed how deeply honored he was to receive such recognition and conveyed his sincere gratitude to his family for their unwavering support. Ms. Patsy Brown, President and CEO of the Japan-America Society of Houston, spoke about the 2025 Sister Cities Summit, in which she also participated. She praised Mr. Capua’s outstanding leadership in planning and managing the summit and expressed her sincere delight at his receiving this commendation.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support and cooperate in sister city initiatives and other people-to-people exchange programs.