The Government of Japan honors former Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Nashville
June 4, 2008
Mr. Edward Nelson was honored with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Japan-U.S. friendly relations in Tennessee. The conferment reception was held on Wednesday, June 4 th at Cheekwood in Nashville. Among the distinguished guests were Hon. Karl Dean, Mayor of Nashville, Hon. Matt Kisber, Commissioner, Economic and Community Development, State of Tennessee, Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos, Vanderbilt University, Mr. Robert Arnett, President, Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Mr. Yoshiro Kumaki, President & CEO, Daido Special Metals Ltd., and the toast was given by Dr. James Auer, Director, Center for U.S.-Japan Studies and Cooperation, Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies. Mr. Yoshiro Kumaki and his family traveled all the way from Japan to congratulate Mr. Nelson.
The Orders of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 as the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese Government. The decoration is bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to friendly relations between Japan and her friends and allied nations. Mr. Nelson is primarily recognized for his long tenure of service to strengthen Japan-U.S. relations in his capacity as Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Nashville from 1988 to 2007.
Mr. Nelson’s abiding interest in Japan stems from his service as a counter-intelligence agent in Japan during the Korean War. In the banking sector, he had the opportunity to build friendships with numerous Japanese bankers and business executives. As a successful investment banker and leader in the business community, Mr. Nelson has played a key role in facilitating business partnerships between American and Japanese companies.
Mr. Nelson is the president of Nelson Capitol Corp. He has served as Vice President of the Japan-America Society of Tennessee since 2003 and as a board member since 2000. He serves as a life trustee emeritus on the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust and is a former chair of its Medical Center Board. Mr. Nelson also led the effort to establish the Center for U.S.-Japan Studies and Cooperation at Vanderbilt University.
Mr. Nelson received congratulatory messages from Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, shortly after the official announcement of his decoration.
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