On December 14, 2018, the annual Emperor’s Birthday reception was held at the Official Residence of the Consul General. During the ceremony three individuals were awarded the Consul General’s Commendation for their outstanding achievements in furthering Japan-U.S. relations by contributing to the Japanese and Japanese American communities in Seattle and Washington State. The recipients are as follows (in alphabetical order):
- Ms. Mina Miller
In 1998, professional pianist Mina Miller and her husband, Mr. David Sabritt, founded Music of Remembrance, an organization that brings together concerts to remember and reflect on the Holocaust. Through this project, many musical pieces left by the victims of the Holocaust have been discovered and revived, and she also commissions new pieces dedicated to the subject. Music of Remembrance has also dealt with other tragedies caused by racial prejudices and bigotry, including the incarceration of Japanese Americans. Music of Remembrance has become an artistic fixture in Seattle, which uniquely evokes emotion and reflection.
- Ms. Diane Narasaki
Until November 2018, Diane Narasaki was the long-serving Executive Director of Asian Counseling & Referral Service (ACRS), one of the oldest and largest Asian Pacific American community organizations in the country. ACRS reaches over 35,000 people a year and provides a wide range of culturally competent services and social justice activities in nearly 40 languages. Diane has been widely recognized for her contributions to furthering the rights and needs of the Asian American community, including by President Barack Obama, who appointed her to serve on his Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
- Mr. Scott Oki
As head of the Oki Foundation, Scott Oki has dedicated his time, resources and passion towards preserving and promoting the education of Japanese American identity and history. Scott conceived and founded Densho, a nonprofit that digitally preserves and passes on the history of Japanese American incarceration during WWII. Scott also created the Executive Development Institute, which fosters leadership qualities among Asian Americans. Scott is also known as a significant benefactor of many charity and non-profit organizations in Washington State. Furthermore, his support of the US-Japan Foundation’s annual US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP) has made significant contributions to furthering relations between the two countries.
The Consul General’s Commendation is awarded for outstanding achievement and contributions in the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and the United States.
