Ms. Miki is founder of the Japan Cultural Society of Northwest Florida and has furthered cross-cultural understanding between Japan and Florida for almost 60 years
Ms. Miki (left) is conferred the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Commendation for the year 2021 by Consul General of the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami Kazuhiro Nakai
The Consul General of Japan in Miami for Florida, Kazuhiro Nakai, had the honor of presenting the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Certificate of Commendation for 2021 on behalf of the Government of Japan to Ms. Hatsue Miki, founder of the Japan Cultural Society of Northwest Florida.
This prestigious honor, granted by the Government of Japan, is conferred to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in the international community to acknowledge their contributions towards the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and other countries.
“Since the 1980s, Ms. Miki has actively promoted Japanese culture within the state of Florida and thus contributed to very good and friendly relations between Japan and Floridians,” said Consul General Nakai. “Her involvement and efforts in various organizations have led to the furthering of cross-cultural understanding and greater knowledge of Japanese culture in Northwest Florida.”
The conferment ceremony was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Airport/Medical Center in the presence of Ms. Hatsue’s family members, friends and dear colleagues.
Ms. Miki describes herself as “an artist, first and foremost,” and recounts her art career having a direct influence on her pride in her Japanese heritage after visiting Epcot Center as a participant in Disney World’s Festival of the Masters Art Show in. There, she met the world-class taiko drummers Matsuriza and knew that she had to bring these performers to the Pensacola region. This wish began her connection to the Japan Cultural Society of Northwest Florida and BonFest.
In total, Ms. Miki has dedicated over 59 years to fostering Japanese-Floridian cultural exchange and education. Among the Japan-related civil society organizations she has founded and led in the area is the Japan Cultural Society of Northwest Florida, an organization which has supported cultural literacy about and friendly relations with Japan through activities at hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
She also established and continues to lead the much loved and very popular Pensacola BonFest, which brings one of Japan’s most cherished holiday festivals to Florida’s panhandle and recently celebrated its 16th occurrence.
The Consulate General of Japan in Miami is pleased to have collaborated with Ms. Miki on various events and initiatives. Her tireless efforts in support of friendly relations between Japan and Florida, along with her dedication to spreading knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture within her local community, and her active role in many important Japan-related organizations and events in the Pensacola area, provide a fine example of what can be achieved with good grassroots diplomacy.
For more information about the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, visit http://www.miami.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html or call (305) 530-9090.
