Conferment Ceremony of Imperial Decoration for Ms. Joan Tomoko Suzuki
2026/6/9
Consul General Otsuki gives remarks
Consul General Otsuki presents Ms. Suzuki with the certificate
On Wednesday, June 3, Consul General Kotaro Otsuki hosted the conferment ceremony and reception for Ms. Joan Tomoko Suzuki, recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays. Ms. Suzuki was recognized in the 2025 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Decorations for contributing to the promotion of Ikebana Art in the United States and friendship between Japan and the United States. Ms. Suzuki is the former director and co-founder of the Sogetsu San Francisco Bay Area Branch.
The program was attended by Ms. Suzuki’s family, friends, and members of the ikebana community, with congratulatory remarks presented by Ms. Suzuki’s former colleague Mr. Benh Nakajo, and toast by current Sogetsu San Francisco Bay Area Branch Director Mr. Ron Brown.
The program was attended by Ms. Suzuki’s family, friends, and members of the ikebana community, with congratulatory remarks presented by Ms. Suzuki’s former colleague Mr. Benh Nakajo, and toast by current Sogetsu San Francisco Bay Area Branch Director Mr. Ron Brown.
Acceptance speech from Ms. Suzuki
Congratulatory remarks from Mr. Nakajo and toast by Mr. Brown
L to R: Mr. Nakajo, Consul General Otsuki, Ms. Suzuki, Mr. Brown
Consul General Otsuki with Ms. Suzuki and her family
