Senator Daniel Inouye received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers Monday night, the highest honor awarded to foreign citizens by the Government of Japan.
Senator Inouye accepted the award at a ceremony at the residence of Japan Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki. Senator Inouye is the seventh American, and the first foreigner of Japanese descent to receive the award.
Senator Inouye was presented the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun in the fall of 1999, recognizing his significant contribution to enhancing the Japan-U.S. relationship as a pioneer in Congress and for the respect he has gained as a Japanese-American.
The conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulawnia Flowers is to recognize his continued significant and unprecedented contributions to the enhancement of goodwill and understanding between Japan and the United States.
Senator Inouye travels to Japan at least once a year and regularly meets with representatives of the Japanese government, residents and business leaders to discuss issues of importance to U.S.- Japan relations.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
