Imperial Decorations Conferment Ceremony for Dr. Tetsuden Kashima, University of Washington

On March 9, 2018, a conferment ceremony and reception were held at the Official Residence to congratulate Dr. Tetsuden Kashima, Professor Emeritus of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington, for his receipt of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Dr. Kashima’s friends and relatives, Japanese American community leaders, professors from America and Japan, and many others were in attendance.
Consul General Yamada expressed his appreciation for Dr. Kashima’s contributions, and read and formally conferred the Order. Dr. Kashima expressed his gratitude for the honor, and spoke about the changes he has witnessed in how the history of the incarceration of Japanese and Japanese Americans during WWII is remembered.

UW’s Vice Provost for Global Affairs; Dr. Jeffrey Riedinger, UW Professor of American Ethnic Studies; Dr. Lauro Flores, and Mr. Yosh Nakagawa delivered congratulatory remarks before Professor Kazue Yamaoka of Teikyo University, Tokyo, proposed a toast.

Dr. Kashima was awarded the Imperial Decorations for his outstanding contributions towards the advancement of Japanese and Japanese Americans within the United States.