Excerpted from a press release from the Embassy of Japan, November 30, 2004.

    A "ceremony and reception hosted by Ambassador and Mrs. Kato, to celebrate the conferral of an Imperial Decoration, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, on Mr. James Takemori, Promotion Chairman for the United States Judo Federation" was held on December 3, 2004 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan 4000 Nebraska Ave. NW, Washington D.C.

"Brief Biography of James Takemori Promotion Chairman for the United States Judo Federation.

1. Name: James Takemori (male)
2. Date of Birth: February 3, 1926
3. Major Milestones:
• September 1953 - Founds the Shufu Judo Yudanshakai (the Society of Judo Rank Holders)
• 1955 - Changes name (of Pentagon Judo Club) to "Washington Judo Club"
• 1985 - Absorbs and Merges with the "Georgetown Judo Club"
4. Outline of Accomplishments.
•     Mr. Takemori, in addition to providing instruction in judo in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 50 years, has founded Judo dojos in more than 20 east coast cities of the United States and has lent valuable assistance to other dojos. As a result of his efforts, he has greatly contributed to the enhancement of American’s interest in Judo for fifty years as symbolized by the great increase of the number of people who learned Judo. The number reached more than five million for the period. Not only has he been a pivotal figure in the proliferation of Judo in the metropolitan area, but one of his students has gone on to receive the Bronze medal in Olympic Judo and another female student won the gold medal in the World Championships. He has instructed many class A rank instructors and some international Class A rank umpires. Remarkably, of the 18 people in the United States now holding the international Class A rank in Judo, 4 have been students of James Takemori.
•     In addition, Mr. Takemori has always instructed his students using the traditional Japanese commands: "Seiza," "Rei" and "Hajime" to properly instruct a large number of Americans to bow to their opponents, to maintain proper decorum, and to instill the rationale and spirit of judo. This has helped students learn Japan's spirit of the fight and value system, and has thereby played a significant role in promoting an understanding of Japan among Americans. Also, by promoting exchanges in Judo between Japan and the United States, Mr. Takemori has improved the level of Judo exchange and promoted friendship and goodwill between our countries.
•     Furthermore, by inviting his noteworthy Japanese associates (such as Barcelona Olympic gold medallist Toshihiko Koga, Los Angeles Olympic Gold Medallist Yasuhiro Yamashita) to the U.S. to speak and teach, Mr. Takemori has not only advanced the art of Judo in this country, but he has introduced to Judo practitioners and even regular Americans to the Japanese spirit and sense of etiquette to advance the proliferation and quality of Judo in this country and promote better understanding of Japan through the sport of Judo."

Remarks by Ambassador Ryozo Kato at the Reception in honor of Mr. Takemori at the Japan Ambassador’s Residence Friday, December 3, 2004.

    "Thank you and welcome to you all . . . and especially to our guest of honor, Mr. Takemori. Mr. Takemori, this may surprise you, but I see many similarities between Judo and diplomacy. Judo uses the forces of balance, power and movement. I ask you, does not diplomacy employ those same things? As everyone here knows, the word "Judo" consists of two Japanese characters "Ju" and "Do." According to the website of international Judo Federation, "Ju" means "gentle," and "Do" means "the way." Judo therefore literally means the way of gentleness. Is that not also the preference and approach of diplomacy? The only real difference between our two jobs is that I have to wear a tuxedo and go to more cocktail parties. This, I might add, is sometimes as grueling as being thrown around on a mat.

    But let me tell you what I admire about Judo. And by telling you what I admire about Judo, I will be telling you what I admire about Mr. Takemori, a man who has contributed so much to the advancement of judo in the United States. Judo is a system of physical, intellectual and moral education that has its own culture and traditions. It provides a code of ethics and a way of living. It contributes to the development of moral values that help people become contributing members of their communities and their nations - and thus the world. Imagine if everyone behaved according to these ideals.

    Mr. Takemori, the Government of Japan wishes to thank you for your contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States as well as between our two peoples. You, sir, are a diplomat. Your accomplishments stretch across half a century and across an ocean. I especially admire that in your Judo instruction you encouraged the use of traditional Japanese commands, an act that reaches across borders, an act that increases respect and understanding of Japanese culture. I would now like to read the translation of the official decoration: "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, is hereby conferred upon James Takemori, Citizen of the United States of America, by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. In witness thereof, the Seal of State has been affixed to these presents at the Imperial Palace. The 3rd day, the 11th month, the 16th year of Heisei (2004)." Congratulations on this well deserved honor and thank you for your many years of promoting stronger ties between our two countries."

Thank you Lisa Gagnon.