2025 Autumn Imperial Decoration for Japanese Citizens: Ms. Caine Morita Kiyoko, Former Lecturer of Japanese Language at Tufts University
November 3, 2025
On November 3, 2025, the Government of Japan announced that Ms. Caine Morita Kiyoko, Former Lecturer of Japanese Language at Tufts University and current President of the Massachusetts Hokkaido Association, will be conferred with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Ms. Caine Morita Kiyoko has dedicated herself to Japanese language education since 1979. She served as a full-time Lecturer in Tufts University's Japanese Language Program for 23 years, beginning in 1993. Her significant contributions include establishing the "Japan in Boston Program," an educational internship system where students of Japanese language teach Japanese language and culture at local public schools. She also played a pivotal role in the creation of the "Japanese Language Teacher Training Course (Master's Program)," notably the first of its kind in the United States.
Furthermore, Ms. Caine Morita has been instrumental in fostering the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister relationship and the Boston-Kyoto sister city relationship for many years. She has also championed the promotion and understanding of the art of incense (Kodo) by consistently hosting "Incense Meetings" across the United States.
Ms. Caine Morita Kiyoko has dedicated herself to Japanese language education since 1979. She served as a full-time Lecturer in Tufts University's Japanese Language Program for 23 years, beginning in 1993. Her significant contributions include establishing the "Japan in Boston Program," an educational internship system where students of Japanese language teach Japanese language and culture at local public schools. She also played a pivotal role in the creation of the "Japanese Language Teacher Training Course (Master's Program)," notably the first of its kind in the United States.
Furthermore, Ms. Caine Morita has been instrumental in fostering the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister relationship and the Boston-Kyoto sister city relationship for many years. She has also championed the promotion and understanding of the art of incense (Kodo) by consistently hosting "Incense Meetings" across the United States.