2009 Award of Honor Gala November 21, 2009

It is our pleasure to announce the Japan Society of Northern California's annual Award of Honor Gala on Saturday, November 21. This year, we are delighted to recognize Ambassador Shunji Yanai, former Japanese Ambassador to Washington, and Mr. Toichi Takenaka, President and CEO of Takenaka Corporation. Appropriate to our 2009 "Profiles in Leadership" theme, we will honor these two outstanding individuals who have personified leadership throughout their careers.

AMBASSADOR SHUNJI YANAI

One of Japan's most distinguished diplomats, Ambassador Shunji Yanai has played a key role in US-Japan relations, culminating with his term as Japan's Ambassador to Washington from 1999 to 2001. For many Northern Californians, however, their memories of the dynamic ambassador date back to 1987-1990, when he came to San Francisco as Consul General of Japan. A frequent visitor to the Bay Area, he is founder and chairman of the Tokyo-based Japan Alumni Association of Northern California.

TOICHI TAKENAKA
President & CEO, Takenaka Corporation

As the 17th generation of the Takenaka family to take the reins of Japan's oldest and largest architecture, engineering and construction firm, Mr. Toichi Takenaka has run Takenaka Corporation as President and CEO for almost 30 years. Under his leadership, the nearly 400-year-old family-run company has won multiple international design and environmental awards. Today the corporation has more than 20 offices throughout the world, but its first foreign operation was established in San Francisco in 1960.

$95 to $500.

Official Website: http://japansocietyofnortherncalifornia.myshopify.com/products/2009-award-of-honor-gala