Embassy of Japan
Press Release
November 3, 2017
2017 Autumn Conferment of Decoration
Secretary Robert M. Gates
On November 3, 2017 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2017 Autumn Imperial Decorations. Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is among this year’s foreign recipients and, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States on national defense, he will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
- DECORATION: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
- SERVICE: Contributed to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States on national defense
- NAME (AGE): Robert M. Gates (74)
- MAJOR TITLES:
- Former Secretary of Defense of the United States
- Chancellor of the College of William & Mary
- ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): WA (USA)
SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS
Former Secretary Robert M. Gates served as the 22nd Secretary of Defense of the United States from 2006 to 2011. As Secretary of Defense, he has contributed to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. He has made outstanding contributions towards deepening the Japan-U.S. defense alliance through dialogues including Japan-U.S. Defense Ministers’ Meeting and Japan-U.S. Security Consultative Committee (2+2). When the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake occurred, he demonstrated the U.S. solidarity toward Japan by taking the lead in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief under “Operation Tomodachi”, and thereby inspired courage and hope for the Japanese people.
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