Japanese Government Commends Berklee College of Music Professor
Press Release July 28, 2014
On July 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan announced that it was giving the Minister of Foreign Affairs Commendation to Toru Okoshi (better known as Tiger Okoshi), Professor at the Berklee College of Music, in recognition of his significant contributions to the furthering of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
Since graduating from Boston’s Berklee College of Music in 1975, Prof. Okoshi has led an active life as a jazz musician. In addition, every year he holds auditions in Japan for prospective Berklee applicants, supports new Japanese arrivals to Berklee, and in countless ways contributes to the education of young Japanese musicians.
Prof. Okoshi personally experienced the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, and in 2005 he organized a 10th anniversary concert. In addition, he has served as a volunteer advisor to the autistic students of the Higashi School jazz band. He also has had the honor of performing the national anthem for Boston Red Sox. Recently, he proposed the founding of the Ashiya Music Festival in his home town of Ashiya, and performed with the taiko group, Bachiholics. Every year beginning in 2006, Mr. Okoshi has held a Jazz Camp in Sapporo Art Park. He also performed in Boston with a Gagaku ensemble.
In recognition of his many years of service in promoting Japan-U.S. exchange and his significant contributions to furthering mutual understanding between our peoples, the Government of Japan has decided to award the Minister of Foreign Affairs Commendation to Prof. Okoshi.