
Former American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO David Harris, who led the organization from 1990-2022, has been honored by the Japanese government for his years of work building bridges between the Jewish community and Japan.
Harris received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from the government of Japan in recognition of his extensive work promoting strong ties and mutual understanding between Japan and the Jewish community, AJC said in a statement.
They pointed out that Harris made many trips to engage with high-level Japanese government officials with the goal of strengthening relations among Japan, the US and Israel, and between the Japanese and Jewish people.
On his final visit to Japan as CEO last May, Harris met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, and Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.
Ambassador Mikio Mori, Japan’s Consul General in New York, presented Harris with the award, on behalf of Japan’s Emperor, during a ceremony at the Consulate on Tuesday.
“We are determined to further our partnership with AJC and build on the legacy that David has left,” Mori said.
The Order of the Rising Sun award, which was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, was also awarded in 1906 to Jacob Schiff, one of AJC’s founders.
Harris is the first recipient to ever receive the prestigious award for advancing relations between Japan and the Jewish people.
AJC noted that its Asia Pacific Institute (API) has been traveling to Japan since 1989 to advocate for Israel and the global Jewish community.
“API is the only such institute in the Jewish organizational world and meets regularly with Japanese officials and oversees ongoing exchange programs with Japan,” AJC said, adding that it was credited by the Japanese government for playing a significant role in encouraging Japan to end its support of the Arab boycott against Israel in the 1990s.
“You can not only climb mountains, you can move them,” said Harris, referring to the years of “quiet diplomacy” it took to get Japan to engage with Israel.
Harris also said the Israelis and the Japanese community soon came to realize they had much in common.
“Put us together in a room, preferably over a Japanese meal,” he said. “It just comes out, that reverence for education. The desire to achieve, to contribute, to succeed, to partner.”