Mr. Hirokuni “Harry” Watanabe, South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development, awarded the Certificate of Commendation

    On October 22nd, at the 40th SEUS-Japan Conference, Consul General Shinozuka awarded South Carolina’s Ambassador for Economic Development, Hirokuni Watanabe, the Consul General’s Certificate of Commendation. Also attending were SC Governor Henry McMaster; Ambassador of Japan to the U.S. Kenichiro Sasae; Congressman Jeff Duncan, SEUS-Japan Chairwoman Minor Shaw; SC State Senator Hugh Leatherman; SC Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt; Clemson University President James Clements; Fulji Film Manufacturing U.S.A. President Todd Croker; JAASC Co-Chairman Craig Lundgren; and about 180 other delegates.

    The Certificate of Commendation is an award given by the Consul General to individuals and organizations within his jurisdiction who promote “mutual understanding and friendly goodwill between Japan and other countries.”

    After beginning his new post at FujiFilm Manufacturing U.S.A, Inc. in 1991, first as Vice President then President, Hirokuni “Harry” Watanabe greatly contributed to the building of the Japanese community in South Carolina and to Japan-US mutual understanding through his efforts to promote exchange between the state of South Carolina, local officials and business leaders, in particular serving twice as Co-Chairman of the Japan American Association of South Carolina. Mr. Watanabe’s achievements are highly valued by the South Carolina government, receiving the South Carolina State Ambassador for Economic Development Award in 2003, and the Order of the Palmetto in 2005, South Carolina’s highest civilian award. At this 40th commemoration of the economic exchange between Japan and seven states in the U. S. Southeast promoted by the SEUS-Japan Joint Annual Meeting in South Carolina, the Consul General honors Mr. Watanabe’s over 25 years of achievements with the presentation of the Certificate of Commendation.