On 13 October 2015 Ambassador Keiichi Hayashi bestowed the Foreign Minister’s Commendation upon Mr Setsuo Kato in recognition of his longstanding contribution  to the promotion of Japan-UK relations.

Mr Kato is renowned for his many years of service as a freelance journalist, through which he has described life in the UK to a receptive Japanese audience. He has also written 14 literary works.

One of his most notable contributions to the Japanese community in the UK came through his publication of the Nichiei Times between 1991 and 2002, a valuable and indispensable source of news for Japanese residents here. Every edition is stored in the British Library and the National Diet Library in Japan. For over 30 years since 1983, Mr Kato has also served on the editorial committee of Big Ben, the newsletter of the Nippon Club, an organisation for Japanese nationals who live in the UK provides invaluable assistance to its members.  Moreover, he has also left his mark through his voluntary work, for instance in connection with the restoration of the Bernard Leach Pottery, which was founded with the Japanese potter Shoji Hamada in 1920, and through his participation in the Japanese Garden Restoration Project in Hammersmith Park, which was originally created for the Japan-British Exhibition in 1910.

Mr Kato and Ambassador Hayashi

The Embassy of Japan