On April 29,women dead from auto eroticism the Government of Japan announced the recipients of its Spring 2025 Decorations. From the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, the following two distinguished persons will be awarded.
Kimiko Fujita of North Tustin — Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for contributing to the welfare of Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals residing in the U.S.
Makiko Shirai of Santa Ana — Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays for contributing to the activities of Japanese overseas establishments.
Kimiko Fujitahas been a longtime supporter of the Japanese American community since joining the Orange County Japanese American Association (OCJAA) as a volunteer in 1999. While serving as OCJAA president for 10 years from 2013, she was instrumental in organizing meetings and sightseeing trips for seniors.
During the COVID pandemic, she set up digital literacy sessions for seniors and then held seminars and events online, finding creative ways to maintain and revitalize community engagement.
When Shohei Ohtani played for the Los Angeles Angels, she helped build strong ties with the team and organized Game Day tours as part of fundraising for the Japanese American community. In addition to offering support to OCJAA’s finances, these efforts enhanced the visibility of Japanese and Japanese Americans by strengthening connections between the community and the team.
On the cultural front, Fujita spearheaded efforts through OCJAA to promote Japanese culture in the U.S. by organizing the Japan Culture Fair and participating in numerous events such as OC Japan Fair and the Irvine Global Village.
In 2018, she proposed the idea to the Angels of holding a “Japan Day,” which became a cultural celebration that autumn in the stadium parking lot that drew 7,000 visitors. Angels’ Japan Day featured performances and exhibitions of Japanese folk music, taiko, ikebana, origami, kimono, and traditional dance, contributing to understanding about Japanese culture among a wide audience.
She also promoted exchange between Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans by inviting Japanese high school students and college-age Japan Club members to the annual mochi-pounding festival held at Tanaka Farms in Irvine, which draws about 2,000 attendees each year.
In 1991, she founded NYLA USA Corp, a music school that has taught some 30,000 students to date. From 2000 to 2004, she served as a board member of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County Japanese Chapter, where she organized fundraising concerts to provide opportunities for local children and students to experience orchestral performances, furthering music education outreach.
Between 2012 and 2013, she also planned and supported charity concerts to raise funds for a care facility providing mental health support to children orphaned by the Great East Japan Earthquake, promoting Japan-U.S. friendship through music.
From 2004 to 2010, she served as vice president of the Senior Foundation Charitable Corporation, supporting Japanese American seniors, working with other Japanese women to engage in grassroots efforts such as coin donation campaigns as well as gala events, with proceeds benefiting Keiro Home, which is now the Sakura Gardens senior home.
Fujita also served as president of the Japanese Executive Women’s League from 2004 to 2006, working to support local Japanese women entrepreneurs.
Fujita continues to play an active role in the Japanese American community, tirelessly working to strengthen the ties between Japanese nationals living in the U.S. and the local Japanese American community.
Makiko Shiraijoined the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles on Sept. 1, 1988, as a local employee. She served more than 35 years until her retirement on May 3, 2024, making significant contributions to the activities of the consulate.
The consulate has approximately 90,000 Japanese nationals in its jurisdictional area. During her years of service, Shirai worked as a receptionist, interfacing with the Japanese nationals and communities. She was also involved in tasks such as collecting information at the consulate’s emergency response headquarters during the Northridge earthquake (1994) and the Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake (1995).
Additionally, she was involved in hospitality-related duties for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during their 1994 Los Angeles visit.
Furthermore, during the 9/11 crisis, Shirai carried out essential tasks to keep the consulate functioning, while the building in which the consulate was located was under strict police security as it was believed to be a possible target for terrorist attacks.
In 2006, Shirai was awarded the Foreign Mission’s local employee Long-Term Service Award (17 years of service) in recognition of her many years of contributions and dedicated work at the consulate.
In 2014, State Sen. Lou Correa awarded Shirai the California Senate Certificate of Recognition for her efforts in arranging an opportunity to introduce Japan’s high-speed railway technology to Correa.
Upon turning 70, Shirai retired from the consulate. She continues to spend her days involved in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the U.S. in various local communities.