Conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun onto Ms. Sonia Dandaneau (April 29, 2024)
On April 29, 2024, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2024 Spring Conferment of Decorations onto Foreign Nationals.
The Consulate General of Japan in Montreal is pleased to announce that Ms. Sonia Dandaneau, Cultural Officer of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion at the Montreal Botanical Garden, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays for her contribution to introducing Japanese culture in Canada and promoting friendly relations between Japan and Canada.
The Order of the Rising Sun, established in 1875, is Japan’s oldest awards system. Its different classes of decoration are awarded to individuals, both Japanese and non-Japanese nationals, in recognition of their distinguished accomplishments.
Over the course of over 20 years as Cultural Officer of the Japanese Garden and Pavilion at the Montreal Botanical Garden until now, Ms. Dandaneau has, through collaboration with organizations with ties to Japanese culture and the organizing of countless exhibitions and other events, shared Japan’s diverse culture, especially its traditional elements, thus contributing greatly to its introduction, dissemination, and understanding locally.
Additionally, she has also worked as Consulate General of Japan in Montreal local staff for around 15 years from 1989 and has, during that time, been involved in a variety of activities and events related to Japanese culture, Japanese language education, and people-to-people exchanges. Through this, she has greatly contributed in Montreal to the introduction and the fostering of a better understanding of Japan and its culture.
Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals