Geodesic Founder and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Government of Japan on May 10, 2022. The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章, Kyokujitsu-shō) is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government. He was honored to participate in the ceremony at the Imperial Palace with His Majesty the Emperor and a select group of the top award recipients. 

Receiving this Decoration was the culmination of Mr. Roos’ Ambassadorship during which he became the first U.S. official  to attend the Hiroshima memorial ceremony (paving the way for President Obama’s visit to Hiroshima), led the effort to assist Japan during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster and launched the TOMODACHI Initiative, which has to date supported 10,000 young leaders of Japan and the United States through education, cultural and leadership programs.

The following day, Tadashi Maeda (JBIC), Kanetsugu Mike (MUFG), Hiroshi Mikitani (Rakuten), Takeshi Niinamii (Suntory), Takeo Obayashi (Obayashi), Jun Ohta (SMBC), Kengo Sadurada (SOMPO), Maysayoshi Son (Softbank) and Tadashi Yanai (Fast Retailing)  hosted a Celebration of the Conferment at the Okura Hotel. Many of the Roos’ friends attended the celebration including Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, Tokyo Governor Koike, Hiroshima Governor Yuzaki, Former Prime Minister Kan, Rikuzentakata Mayor Toba and other dignitaries. 

In a series of speeches reflecting on the Ambassador’s contributions, business and government leaders lauded his many achievements during his tenure. Adding  to his contributions following his ambassadorship, they noted his unparalleled ability to connect Silicon Valley to Japan and foster innovation and business collaboration through Geodesic Capital and other activities including the Silicon Valley Japan Platform.

Everyone was treated to a performance by YOSHIKI, a good friend of the Roos’.

Ambassador Roos was so honored to receive this Award and spent a few moments recounting his time in Japan. He noted that while he will never forget all the official events, it was the people of Japan that made his time special and it is the people of Japan that make the country great. He also shared that the legacy he was most proud of was the TOMODACHI Initiative, which continues to thrive over 10 years later.