Ms. Sue C. Root to Receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
Press Release April 29, 3013
Ms. Sue C. Root, Co-President, Massachusetts Hokkaido Association, receives the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.
On April 29th, the Japanese government announced that the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, will be conferred upon Ms. Sue C. Root, Co-President, Massachusetts Hokkaido Association, in recognition of her significant contributions to promoting friendly relations between Japan and the United States of America.
Co-President Root has actively contributed to various exchanges between Massachusetts and Hokkaido as a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association since its establishment in 1990. Since 1995, she has participated in grass root exchanges and cultural exchanges
between Japan and the United States and contributed to the furthering of mutual understanding between the two countries. In 2000, on the tenth
anniversary of the sister state relationship, she successfully received a
delegation of 70 members led by the governor of Hokkaido and conducted
various memorial events.
In 2010, on the twentieth anniversary, Ms. Root played an important role in receiving the Japanese delegation, which co-signed a joint -declaration with the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association. Since the establishment of the sister state relationship, various exchange programs have been created like a chain reaction between Hokkaido and Massachusetts. These programs can be attributed to Ms. Root’s earlier work.
Ms. Root also contributed to the grass root exchanges between Springfield and Takikawa City since 1993. She actively made arrangements for various cultural and sport exchanges and home stay visits. She also let delegation members stay at her own home.
Ms. Root contributed for 18 years to increasing diplomatic knowledge of citizens not only of western Massachusetts but also of New England as the Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts from 1986-2003. Since 2003, she has contributed as a member of the board of directors of the Council.
In light of these contributions, the Government of Japan acknowledges Ms. Sue C. Root as an appropriate person to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays and is delighted to announce the decoration.