Conferment Ceremony of the Order of Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for Hon. Bill Haslam, former Governor of Tennessee
2026/2/28
On Wednesday, February 25, Consul-General Watanabe hosted a conferment ceremony at his official residence and presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, to former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam.
In the ceremony, Consul-General Watanabe praised Mr. Haslam for his significant contributions to strengthening relations between Japan and Tennessee through attracting Japanese companies to Tennessee and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the U.S. and expressed his congratulations and presenting him with the citation and medal.
In his speech, Mr. Haslam mentioned that Japan is the largest investor in Tennessee and emphasized Japan's importance in the state's economic development. Following this, Mr. Bob Rolfe, who served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development under the Haslam administration, led a toast on behalf of the attendees. He praised Mr. Haslam's outstanding leadership and his strong ability to drive economic development in Tennessee, also mentioning his involvement with the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, and the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival.
In the ceremony, Consul-General Watanabe praised Mr. Haslam for his significant contributions to strengthening relations between Japan and Tennessee through attracting Japanese companies to Tennessee and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the U.S. and expressed his congratulations and presenting him with the citation and medal.
In his speech, Mr. Haslam mentioned that Japan is the largest investor in Tennessee and emphasized Japan's importance in the state's economic development. Following this, Mr. Bob Rolfe, who served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development under the Haslam administration, led a toast on behalf of the attendees. He praised Mr. Haslam's outstanding leadership and his strong ability to drive economic development in Tennessee, also mentioning his involvement with the Japan-America Society of Tennessee, the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association, and the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival.