Deputy Consul General Minoya Attends Donation Ceremony Honoring the Late Dr. Curtin, Former President of the Concord-Nanae Network, to the Town of Concord (February 27, 2026)
March 4, 2026
On February 27, Deputy Consul General Minoya attended and delivered remarks at a ceremony held at the Concord Free Public Library in Concord, Massachusetts, marking the donation of the decorations and the Foreign Minister's Commendation awarded to the late Dr. Thomas G. Curtin, former President of the Concord-Nanae Network, to the town.
Dr. Thomas G. Curtin founded the Concord-Nanae Network (CNN) and played a pivotal role in fostering the sister-city relationship between the town of Concord and the town of Nanae in Hokkaido, Japan, for approximately 30 years since the 1990s. He also served as president of the Hokkaido-Massachusetts Association from 2015 to 2016. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, he received the Foreign Minister's Commendation in the summer of 2016 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in the fall of 2016.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Susan Curtin signed a document formally donating the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, and the Foreign Minister's Commendation, which the late Dr. Curtin had received, to the town. These decorations and the commendation will be preserved in the town's archives.
Dr. Thomas G. Curtin founded the Concord-Nanae Network (CNN) and played a pivotal role in fostering the sister-city relationship between the town of Concord and the town of Nanae in Hokkaido, Japan, for approximately 30 years since the 1990s. He also served as president of the Hokkaido-Massachusetts Association from 2015 to 2016. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, he received the Foreign Minister's Commendation in the summer of 2016 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, in the fall of 2016.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Susan Curtin signed a document formally donating the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, and the Foreign Minister's Commendation, which the late Dr. Curtin had received, to the town. These decorations and the commendation will be preserved in the town's archives.