Decoration Conferment Ceremony for the late Mr. Ralph Davies Munro, Former Secretary of State of Washington

On June 28, 2025, a memorial service for the late Mr. Ralph Davies Munro, former Secretary of State of Washington, was held at the Washington State Capitol, hosted by the Office of the Secretary of State.

During the memorial service, Consul General of Japan in Seattle, IYORI Makoto, delivered a congratulatory address honoring Mr. Munro’s longstanding contributions, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon was posthumously conferred upon him. 

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Munro’s family, friends, former colleagues, and many others who came to honor his legacy.

From 1981, Mr. Ralph Munro served as Washington’s Secretary of State for nearly 20 years, working vigorously to strengthen relations with other countries, including Japan, to which he led numerous trade missions, and contributed to the promotion of trade among other considerable efforts to strengthen economic ties. 

During his tenure as Secretary of State, Mr. Munro was particularly committed to the sister state relationship between Washington State and Hyogo Prefecture, which marked its 60th anniversary in 2023. His years of dedicated service have contributed greatly to building the foundation for longstanding regional exchange between Japan and the United States.