Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in New York, honored Ms. Masayo Ishigure, a Koto player, with the Consul General’s Commendation for her remarkable contributions to the promotion of mutual cultural understanding between Japan and the U.S., by having played the Japanese traditional music instruments, the Koto and Shamisen, at various events and concerts not only in New York but also in many cities in the U.S. for almost 25 years.