What's New
The Speech by Consul General Kiyokazu OTA at Honoring Mrs. Kazuko Umezu Stout on the Occasion of Receiving Decoration from the Emperor of Japan (July 8, 2010)
Good afternoon, Mrs. Kazuko Umezu Stout, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
I. Introduction: Congratulations
I would like to offer my hearty congratulations to Mrs. Kazuko Umezu Stout, Mr. Carl Stout and your family on Mrs. Stout’s decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays. Mrs. Stout already received the decoration medal on May 12th directly from Foreign Minister Okada at a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. The same afternoon she also had an audience with His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace. I am pleased to have the opportunity to honor you here, where your influential work took place.
II. Mrs. Umezu Stout’s Accomplishments
Ms. Kasuko Umezu was married to Mr. Carl Stout in 1953 in Japan. They came to the United States in 1954 along with the tens of thousands of so-called war brides who set foot on American soil during the post-war period. Here, the war brides led their lives isolated from each other and facing difficulties with language, customs and prejudice. Mrs. Stout thought that the war brides should foster solidarity by supporting each other and sharing their stories. By working together they could lead their lives proudly in their new homes.
In 1988 Mrs. Stout arranged the first gathering in Olympia of war brides from all over the United States, with great success. She established The Nikkei International Marriage Society and newsletter in 1989, providing leadership, support and outreach for nearly 2 decades. She gave moral support, provided forums for communication and strengthened ties between war brides. Through interviews, publications and the media, Mrs. Stout labored to eliminate prejudice against the Japanese war brides in both Japan and the United States.
In recognition of her achievements, Mrs. Stout received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2006. Now she has been decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays by merit of: providing public understanding about war brides, networking for mutual assistance between them, and enhancing their social status. This is a brilliant culmination of her years of devoted work. Along the way, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko occasionally encouraged Mrs. Stout privately in her work for the war brides.
III. Historical Context
Japan’s new constitution adopted in 1948 says (quote) “We desire to occupy an honored place in an international society striving for the preservation of peace, and the banishment of tyranny and slavery, oppression and intolerance for all time from the earth” (unquote). In this world, no country is perfect. Even the United States, who is a torch for freedom and democracy, was still struggling in the realm of civil rights in the 1960s. Equality and tolerance were a work in progress.
Many Japanese worked hard to make Japan a democratic nation and ensure civil rights as well as economic development. Japanese Americans also worked hard to restore their lives, honor and dignity after being interned in relocation camps during the war. The war brides, who did not fit into either of these categories, had prejudice to overcome on both sides. Under these tough circumstances, Mrs. Stout and other war brides were forging new lives here, overcoming challenges and being cultural ambassadors. I wish to express deep respect for you all on behalf of my government. Also I wish to extend it to the spouses here today who have been supportive for all these years.
World War II should not be forgotten. Since 1945, for more than six decades, our two countries have overcome tragedies, and strived together through overwhelming difficulties to deepen our ties and mutual understanding. We have established an indispensable partnership we can be proud of working together for a common agenda in the world. Our friendly rapport have been based upon and strengthened by grassroots ties, which in turn contribute to our political and economic connections. Your achievements have helped these relations, too. The award of this decoration to Mrs. Stout is a testimony by my government of its appreciation of the efforts and achievements of all of you who have gathered today. Your efforts are impactful on an international level.
IV. In Conclusion
Mrs. Stout, you did what you should do. You lived a life as a genuine Japanese. Mrs. Stout, you did what you wanted to do. You lived a life as a genuine American. In this way you established a bridge between Japanese and Americans and Japanese-Americans.
I will conclude my speech by wishing for the health and happiness of Mrs. Stout and further development of the Japanese International Marriage Friendship Club, which has succeeded the Nikkei International Marriage Society, and wish for the further strengthening of relations between our two peoples.
Thank you very much for listening.