<Begin Segment 25>

MU: Now, we're going to move along here. But you received a medal from the Japanese government. What was that for? Did that come afterward for work you did afterwards, or was it for work you did during the war crimes?

GK: War crimes were cited in the commendation, but it was mostly work I did after the war in connection with the reformation of Japanese judicial system.

MU: Okay.

GK: This was awarded to me in 1974.

MU: 1974? And what was it called?

GK: Zuihosho, third class.

MU: Zuihosho?

GK: Uh-huh. I think, it's called, "Sacred Treasure."

MU: Sacred Treasure?

GK: Uh-huh. Third class.

MU: Now, there weren't many Niseis that got this award...

GK: Not too many, but then, for some reason, Taul Watanabe, he was an attorney here in Seattle, and became a legal consultant for this lady who became the governor... what is her name? Well, anyway, she took a business trip to Japan and Taul Watanabe accompanied her to Japan, and apparently for that service Japanese government appreciated it, and awarded him the same medal. And then one other... Fukuhara --

MU: Harry...

GK: -- was given the same, third class.

MU: And then I think, (Ray) Aka.

GK: Oh, (Ray) Aka, that's right.

MU: Now, could you tell us the circumstances, what was in that citation that tells why they gave it to you?

GK: Yes, it cited... (...) I don't remember (the exact wording). The one that you quoted a while ago, basically that's what it says. "For distinguished service rendered for the betterment of the relationship (between) Japan and the United States..." And I guess to some extent, helping develop new Japanese judicial system.

<End Segment 25> - Copyright © 1997 Densho. All Rights Reserved.