The Japanese government announced the recipients of its Spring 2017 Decorations; and a conferment ceremony was held on June 20th at the official residence of the consul general for Henry Yasushi Ota receiving The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. Every spring and fall, the Japanese government awards an individual that greatly contributed either to the country of Japan or to the Japanese American community and award decorations. For this year’s Spring recipients, Gary Yamauchi and Henry Yasushi Ota were chosen from the jurisdiction of the Consul General of Japan in LA. Yamauchi’s conferment ceremony was held in May. Following his lead, Ota’s conferment ceremony was held this day. Henry Yasushi Ota was born during WWII at the Gila River Internment Camp in Arizona. He was called to the bar in 1970 and was one of the activists towards repealing an unreasonable bill before the state legislature passed, aiming against Japanese companies when a trade friction rose between US and Japan in the 80s. In 2009, he co-founded the U.S.-Japan Council that focuses on disaster relief fundraisers and “Tomodachi” initiatives creating friendships between Japan and the US. In recent years, he is putting his heart and soul into raising future leaders of the Japanese American community through the Kizuna Project. A group photo was taken after family and friends congratulated him of his achievements and Ota stated his gratitude.