Decoration Conferment Ceremony for Mr. John L. Atkins III

    On July 28, Consul General Shinozuka held the 2017 Spring Imperial Decorations conferment ceremony for Former Honorary Consul General of Japan in Raleigh, Mr. John L. Atkins III in Durham, North Carolina.

    In his opening remarks, Consul General Shinozuka expressed his extreme pleasure to confer the Imperial Decoration upon Mr. Atkins and congratulated Mr. Atkins’ achievements in establishing key economic and diplomatic relations between the Consulate General of Japan and North Carolina as well as promoting economic exchange with Japan and further enhancing the Japan-North Carolina relationship through his tireless support of cultural exchange and sister city programs.

    Mr. Atkins, who received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, recounted his opportunity to visit Japan at a young age and his fascination by the Japanese culture and the politeness of the Japanese people, which led him to be involved in Japanese business relations. He expressed his gratitude for receiving the Decoration, noting that he felt it an honor given by Japan to him not as an individual, but as a representative of all of Japan’s friends in North Carolina.

    Also at the ceremony celebrating Mr. Atkins’ award were Former North Carolina Governor James Hunt Jr., State Representative Mary Ann Black, NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, NC Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary Larry Hall, NC Dept. of Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland, Durham City Mayor William Bell, Former Raleigh City Mayor Smedes York, Former Director of NC Japan Center John Sylvester, and Honorary Consul General of Japan in Raleigh David Robinson, as well as about 60 others including members of Atkins’ family, representatives of local Japanese and American companies, and local officials of the Japanese community.