The Order of the Rising Sun

On October 16, 2014, Gretta's brother, Kent Calder, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C.  It is the highest award Japan gives for individuals who promote the interests of Japan in the field of international relations.  Kent has written nine books on Japanese political economics, as well as teaching East Asian political economics at three universities (Harvard, Princeton, and Johns Hopkins), and consulting with Japanese businesses and the U.S. government.  He regularly briefs American ambassadors to Japan.  Kent's family, Toshiko, Ryan, Mari, Mari's husband John, and her son Cornelius, joined Kent in the ceremony.

 

 

Many notables congratulated Kent during the ceremony by letter and video, including the Japanese prime minister, several Japanese mayors and members of parliament, and the chairman of Toyota, Inc.  The son of Ed Reischauer, Kent's mentor at Harvard, attended the reception, as did Scott and Jean Calder, with David and Elizabeth.

 "The Japanese ambassador has the best Japanese food in Washington," Toshiko said, and the buffet dinner was luscious.