The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago announced last week that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has bestowed upon Mr. William R. Strang of Minnesota the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. This award, which is one of the highest honors given to foreign nationals, commends Mr. Strang’s contributions to the promotion of exchange and friendship between Japan and the United States of America.
Consul General of Japan George Hisaeda will present Mr. Strang with the award on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor in a December 9, 2010 ceremony at the Consulate General of Japan in Chicago.
Strang has a strong background of cultural and business ties to Japan. From 1976-1980 he served as Vice President of Fuji-Tennant Ltd. in Tokyo and chaired the Marketing Sub-Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce – Japan for two years. Upon returning to the U.S. he used his knowledge of Japanese business practices working as a lecturer for the Minnesota Trade Office. He has been a member of the Japan American Society of Minnesota since 1980, serving as the organization’s president from 1995-1996.
Strang worked at Tennant Company for 30 years, serving as a company Vice President from 1992-1999. In 2004, he was appointed Honorary Consul General of Japan in Minneapolis, a position he held until 2009.
For more information, contact Chris Kelly of the Japan Information Center, Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, at 312-280-0427 or email [email protected].
