PHOENIX — Kelly Moeur, honorary consul general of Japan in Phoenix, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, from Los Angeles-based Consul General Harry Horinouchi on Nov. 19 at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix.
The conferment ceremony was attended by approximately 40 guests, including Moeru’s family and friends. A reception was held after the ceremony.
Moeur, 64, of Tempe continues to contribute greatly to the Japanese American community in Arizona as honorary consul general, a post he has been dedicated to for over 10 years. He is also very well-known as a Japanese language educator, teaching at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College, in addition to serving as principal at Arizona Gakuen, a Japanese language school, since its inception.
Moeur has also actively participated in the promotion of the Japanese culture in Arizona by being involved in the Arizona Matsuri Steering Committee since its beginning and serving as president for the Phoenix Japan America Society and the Arizona Association of Teachers of Japanese.
Moeur is one of two recipients of Fall 2015 Decorations from the Japanese government in the Consulate General of Japan’s jurisdiction, the other being Terry Hara of Long Beach, who received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.