Embassy of Japan
Press Release
November 3, 2019
2019 Autumn Conferment of Decoration
Ambassador Christopher James LaFleur
On November 3, 2019 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2019 Autumn Imperial Decorations. Ambassador Christopher James LaFleur is among this year’s foreign recipients, and in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship and friendship between Japan and the United States, he will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
- DECORATION: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
- SERVICE: Contributed to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States
- NAME: Christopher James LaFleur
- MAJOR TITLES:
- Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
- Former President, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
- Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs
- Former Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
- ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): Tokyo (United States of America)
SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS
Ambassador Christopher James LaFleur served as Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States to Japan from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from 2001 to 2003. During his tenure, he played an important role in strengthening the Japan-U.S. relationship. After his tenure at the Department of State, he has continued to play a major role in bridging ties between the US and Japan as a Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, as well as a Vice Chairman of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation.
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