Ambassador's Commendation - Mr David James
On 6 December 2019, Mr David James, Secretary of West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, was awarded the Ambassador's Commendation for his distinguished contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United Kingdom.
Mr James took the lead in raising money for the creation of a new memorial for members of the crew and passengers of the Hirano-maru, a cargo ship belonging to Japan’s NYK (Nippon Yusen Kaisha 日本郵船), which foundered under enemy fire in the First World War. His tireless endeavours brought about the successful completion of this project. In October 2018, the unveiling ceremony for the memorial took place, attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.
He has also coordinated a project called "The Return of Admiral Togo's Ginkgo Tree to Japan". In 1877, at the launch ceremony for the naval ship Hiei held at Pembroke Dock in the western part of Wales, the then-Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Mr Kagenori Ueno planted a Ginkgo sapling, which subsequently flourished and became known as 'Togo's Ginkgo'. Having discovered this, Mr James showed the tree to Japanese people who suggested that he take cuttings from the tree and grow saplings which could be then returned to Japan. He played a leading role in carrying out the project. Saplings will be transported to Japan in the middle of December and arrive at Hiroshima Botanical Garden before the end of the year where they will begin to adapt to their new environment, including the climate. The saplings will be moved to their final destinations such as Kure, Maizuru, Sasebo, Yokosuka, Kagoshima, Chiyodaku and the Togo Shrine this coming spring.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Nagamine delivered a congratulatory speech and conferred the commendation upon Mr James.
Mr James thanked the Ambassador and the people who have been supporting him with this Ginkgo project. He stressed the importance of deepening understanding between Japan and the UK.
The Embassy of Japan