2021 Spring Conferment of Imperial Decorations for Foreign Recipients

Today, 29 April 2021, the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2021 Spring Imperial Decorations. Two residents of New South Wales, Ms Sally Shimada, former Japanese Language Education Officer, NSW Department of Education, and Ms Catherine Jonak, former Japanese Language Education Advisor, NSW Department of Education/former Lecturer in Education at the Japanese Culture Centre at The Japan Foundation, Sydney, will receive Decorations.


1.　Ms Sally Shimada
 

Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays Service: Contributed to the promotion of Japanese language education in Australia and to mutual understanding between Japan and Australia Major Title: Former Japanese Language Education Officer, NSW Department of Education

Summary of Contributions: After specializing in foreign language education at the University of Sydney, Ms Shimada spent a year studying as a Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry scholar at Keio University. Afterwards in Australia, she contributed over many years to the popularisation of Japanese language and Japanese language education, mainly in primary and secondary education.


2.　Ms Catherine Jonak
 

Decoration: The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays Service: Contributed to the promotion of Japanese language education in Australia and to mutual understanding between Japan and Australia Major title: Former Japanese Language Education Advisor, NSW Department of Education/former Lecturer in Education at the Japanese Culture Centre at The Japan Foundation, Sydney

Summary of Contributions: After specializing in Asian studies at the University of Sydney, Ms Jonak contributed over many years, from the beginnings of local Japanese language education to the present day, to the popularisation of Japanese language and Japanese language education in primary and secondary education.


The Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms Shimada and Ms Jonak on receiving their awards and acknowledges their achievements so far.