Press Release:
The Government of Japan announced on April 29, the 2021 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals for their outstanding contribution to their respective areas.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver therefore wishes it to be known that the following recipient from within the jurisdiction of the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver shall be conferred with a decoration in recognition of their endeavors. The details of the recipient are as follows:
Dr. Joyce C. Lebra
Former Professor at University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Lebra has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for her contribution to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
From an article in the Denver Post covering the conferrence:
Joyce Lebra has committed most of her 95 years to researching Indian and Japanese history, and she is being recognized by the government of Japan for that work.
On Wednesday, Lebra was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
“It’s overwhelming, really,” Lebra said. “It’s such an amazing way to end my career and my life.”
A news release from the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver said Lebra is being honored for her “contribution to promoting academic exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.”
Of her published work, she said that “Jungle Alliance: Japan And The Indian National Army” had the biggest impact on the academic community.
“I think it was because I was the only one who focused on the relationship between Japan and the fight for freedom,” Lebra said.
Find original Article in the Denver Post here.