2016 Fall Conferment of Decoration Mr. Thomas Brooke (President of Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association)

On November 3, 2016, the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2016 Fall Imperial Decorations. Mr. Thomas Brooke, of the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in recognition of his contributions in promoting the mutual understanding between Japan and the United States by introducing Japanese culture to Washington State.
 

• Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
• Service: Contributed towards the mutual understanding between the US and Japan, promoting Japanese culture.
• Name : Thomas S Brooke
• Major Titles
  • Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association Co-Founder & President  
  • Seattle Japanese Garden Society President

 
Summary of Contributions
Mr. Thomas Brooke established the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Committee in 1998, beginning  a venture  to fulfill an aspiration of promoting Japanese culture to the citizens of the State of Washington. Since 1998, for 18 years as Committee Chairman of Eastside Nihon Matsuri Team, and Co-Founder & President of the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association, Aki Matsuri has taken place. With over 150 participating organizations, and attendees reaching over 20,000, this large scale event successfully promoted and introduced Japanese culture to the people of Washington State and is one of Mr. Brooke’s many achievements.  Following the final Aki Matsuri in 2015, Mr. Brooke generously contributed towards the success of its successor, Japan Fair, providing his full cooperation and support. During these past 18 years, Mr. Brooke’s efforts can be seen in the success of numerous special programs, where cultural ambassadors from all over Japan were invited to facilitate cultural exchange between regions of Washington State and Japan, respectively. From 12 prefectures, invitees amounted to over 150. Mr. Brooke’s longstanding and steady efforts have carved a path towards a strong and steady cultural exchange between Washington State and Japan that will continue to grow.