On April 10, Ambassador Nogami presented Mr Akio Horiki, former principal of the Telford Japanese School, with a Certificate of Commendation in recognition of his distinguished service and contribution to the management of the school.
Mr Horiki recently retired after a teaching career spanning 40 years. During his time in the UK he taught at the Japanese School in London and at Teikyo School UK. In April 2000 he joined the Telford Japanese School, after which he worked tirelessly to increase educational standards and improve the overall environment of the school, in close cooperation with members of the school committee and parents of the pupils. Through his long years of dedicated service Mr Horiki had an invaluable impact on the education of Japanese children at the schools where he taught in the UK, thereby helping to promote mutual understanding between the Japanese and British peoples.
(The system of Ambassador's Commendations was introduced in 2000 in order to recognise the contributions of those who had made outstanding efforts to promote grassroots exchange between Japan and the UK. Twenty-four individuals and institutions have been awarded the commendation to date.)
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