Conferment of Decorations for 2022 Autumn
On November 3rd, 2022, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of its Autumn 2022 Decorations, who include a distinguished U.S. citizen from within the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in New York.
Mr. David Harris
Former CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC)
Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
Services: Contributed to promoting friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japan and the Jewish community
As CEO of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Mr. Harris has contributed to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the Jewish community for more than 30 years. He has also promoted greater understanding of Japan, enhanced public interest towards Japan, and fostered pro-Japanese sentiment in the U.S. and the international community. Since 1990, Mr. Harris has visited Japan every year except during the Covid-19 pandemic as the CEO of AJC to meet with high-level Japanese government officials to exchange views on strengthening relations between Japan and the U.S., Japan and Israel, as well as the Japanese and Jewish communities. He has also supported the Japanese and Japanese American communities, including contributing to the adoption of the postwar compensation bill for Japanese Americans for their incarceration during World War II (Civil Liberties Act of 1988).
The Consulate General of Japan in New York would like to express its deepest respect to Mr. Harris for the contributions he has made.