Awardees for Foreign Minister's Commendation Chosen

On September 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced the awardees chosen for the FY 2026 Foreign Minister’s Commendation. Within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, the following one individual and one group have been selected for their contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
 
The Foreign Minister's Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups of outstanding achievements in international fields, to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and other countries. The Commendation also aims to promote the understanding and support of the Japanese public for their activities.

Awardees' Achievements

Kazuyuki Kitajima, Sogetsu Ryu Artist 

From 1991 to 1995, he served as president of the Sogetsu Ikebana Los Angeles Branch, and from 1997 to 1999, he served as president of the Southern California Ikebana Teachers Association, an organization of ikebana instructors in Southern California, making significant contributions to the promotion of ikebana in the United States. Even after stepping down from his formal roles, he continues to be actively involved in the community. Furthermore, for more than 45 years, through the care and maintenance of Japanese gardens in the United States, he has greatly helped to promote understanding and appreciation of the aesthetic beauty of Japanese garden design.

 

Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS)

Since its establishment in 2006, the LTHS has devoted the past twenty years to preserving and passing down the history of the Japanese and Japanese American community centered on Little Tokyo. Its primary activities have included researching and preserving historic buildings and sites in the area; organizing lectures on Japanese American history; conducting Little Tokyo walking tours in both English and Japanese; and, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, installing official monuments and signage commemorating Japanese and Japanese American history. Through these efforts, the LTHS has made significant contributions to promoting understanding of the history and culture of Japanese and Japanese Americans.