On April 29th, 2016, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2016 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. These decorations are conferred to Foreign Nationals who made significant contributions to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding with Japan. Among the 90 recipients this spring, four Canadians received decorations including Robert Tadashi Banno and Leonard John Edwards.
The Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia congratulates Society Director Robert Banno on the decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. Mr. Banno is Former President, National Nikkei Heritage Centre Society President, Nikkei Place Foundation and Director, The Canada-Japan Society of British Columbia. Mr. Banno has been engaged in activities of Japanese-Canadian organizations, rendering great service to the welfare of Japanese-Canadians and Japanese people in Canada. Through his activities, including establishment of the multi-purpose facility “Nikkei Place” and support for the Japanese community as lawyer, Mr. Banno contributed to promoting the development and friendly relations of the community of Japanese-Canadians in Canada.
The Society also congratulates Len Edwards on the decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. Mr. Edwards is Former Ambassador of Canada to Japan, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Deputy Minister of International Trade. Assuming titles such as Ambassador of Canada to Japan and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Edwards contributed greatly to strengthening relations between Japan and Canada in the areas of politics, the economy and culture. After his retirement from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr. Edwards has been playing active roles in various organizations to disseminate information on Japan, contributing to further friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries.