San Antonio’s economic and cultural relationship with Japan took another step forward Wednesday when former Mayor Henry Cisneros received the Order of the Rising Sun Award from the Emperor of Japan, the highest decoration the island nation bestows on non-citizens.
The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in non-military service and was given in recognition of the connections Cisneros helped build between San Antonio and Japan, from helping businesses set up shop in the region to cultural exchanges that span the Pacific.
Japan’s consul-general in Houston, Zentaro Naganuma, presented the award to Cisneros, highlighting in particular San Antonio’s sister city relationship with Kumamoto and the work done to bring Toyota’s manufacturing plant to the city.
“This plant is a powerful symbol of the cooperation between us,” Naganuma said.
The ceremony for the award was hosted by Toyota at its event center in San Antonio, and officials from Toyota, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County as well as Rep. Joaquin Castro spoke at the event, noting Cisneros’ accomplishments.
Cisneros, for his part, said the award acknowledged the work done across the community to build the international relationship.
“I take it as an award the community has done in strengthening its connection with Japan. It’s not an award for any one person,” Cisneros said in an interview.
San Antonio was one of the first cities to try and build its own international relationships, Cisneros said, and it benefited from that.
He highlighted the contributions from San Antonio leaders, from Toyota and from Naoko Shirane, a Japanese business and community leader who helped connect San Antonio to companies and industries in Japan.
San Antonio and Japan established a reciprocal relationship where the city provided stability and economic foundation and companies like Toyota brought opportunities for growth.
San Antonio became the “centerpoint for an internationally significant automotive complex that stretches from the Dallas area to Guanajuato, Mexico,” Cisneros said.
Cisneros encouraged more cooperation going forward. He noted Toyota’s opportunities to expand and other companies that had followed the Japanese car manufacturer to San Antonio.
There are other reasons to enhance the two communities’ relationship. Cisneros took a step back, noting the geopolitical role Japan and the U.S. played when it came to China and the Pacific.
He also praised Japan’s prosperity and democracy.
“No people in the history of mankind have willed themselves into such a complete transformation from militarism to an unwavering and total commitment to peaceful prosperity in such a short time,” Cisneros said. “We in San Antonio can show our fellow Americans the importance of standing resolutely with Japan as partners in uplifting democracy, in promoting principled economic rules and strengthening global institutions.”
Educational and cultural exchanges are an important part of that, Cisneros said, and he noted East Asian degrees and travel opportunities for students in San Antonio.
“San Antonio’s relationship with Japan has always superseded the economic,” Cisneros said.
If San Antonio’s current leaders have anything to say about it, that relationship will be in place for years to come. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who was elected in June, praised Cisneros’ unwavering service through the years.
“This is a relationship we will continue to build on,” she said. “Henry has been doing this for a very long time. He’s kind of like one of those Corollas that just won’t die.”
