Three Georgians have been honored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan with special commendations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States.
Japan’s consul general in Atlanta, Kazuo Sunaga, presented certificates of the commendations at a celebration of the birthday of the Emperor of Japan Akihito on Dec. 4 held at the official residence.
The recipients were honored “for their outstanding achievements” in promoting friendship between the two countries.
The honorees included: Alex Gregory, chairman, president and CEO of the YKK Corp. of America;
Sachi Koto president of Sachi Koto Communications Inc. and founder of “Who’s Who in Asian American Communities” and
Miyuki Johnson, a Japanese language teacher at Elkins Point Middle School in Fulton County.
The commendation for Mr. Gregory refers to him as “a pioneer in achieving executive posts in a Japanese company operating in Georgia” and it refers specifically to his executive positions with YKK.
In addition his titles of chairman emeritus of the Japan-America Society of Georgia and former chairman of JapanFest Inc., an annual celebration of Japanese culture, are cited.
Ms. Koto is honored for her 16-year career as an anchor with CNN on Headline News and other CNN broadcast programs. She also has served as general manager for JapanFest and chairman of the Japan-American Society of Georgia.
In his presentation, Mr. Sunaga mentioned that her broadcasts had helped him as he was learning English.
Ms. Johnson is honored for her contributions to promoting and expanding Japanese language education, encouraging not only students, but the Atlanta community to take an interest in Japanese culture. In 2014, she received the “Teacher of the Year Award” from the Fulton County School System.
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