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Ex-FSM envoy conferred with Japanese imperial honors
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Posted on Nov 11 2019
Kasio Mida and his wife, Ginger Porter Mida, who is postmaster general of the Federated States of Micronesia. (MOEKO KITA/APIC)
TOKYO, Japan—The Association for Promotion of International Cooperation has extended its congratulations to Ambassador Kasio Mida Sr., the former Federated States of Micronesia’s ambassador to Japan for being bestowed The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, by Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The honor is one of the highest awards that can be given to non-Japanese citizens for their service to promote good relations with Japan.
APIC is a private foundation based in Tokyo, Japan, that develops programs and initiatives to strengthen relations between Japan and the nations and people of the Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
Mida is the first citizen of the FSM, and the other nations of the northwest Micronesia region, to be awarded The Order of the Rising Sun.
“There are few people more deserving of this high honor than Ambassador Mida. He has long been an active proponent of close ties between Japan and the FSM,” said Ambassador Peter Yoshiyasu Sato, APIC’s president and a career diplomat in Japan’s foreign service. “Everyone who knows Ambassador Mida agrees with me.”
Following the presentation of the award, Mida had an audience with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 7.
APIC hosted a dinner in honor of Mida on Nov. 8 at The Tokyo Club, the oldest social club in Japan.
Mida served as FSM Ambassador in Tokyo from 2004-2008. He was also nonresident ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea. He previously served as FSM consul general in Honolulu from 1986 to 2004. After Tokyo, he served as chief of staff to FSM President Emanuel Mori.
Currently, Mida is an Officer of the FSM-Japan Friendship Society, which promotes friendly relations between FSM and Japan and supports Japan’s initiatives in the FSM. He has also just become the APIC representative in FSM, at the request of Sato.
Mida is a graduate of Xavier High School in his native Chuuk state, and of Rockhurst College in the United States. He is married to the former Ginger Porter of Pohnpei state. She currently serves as FSM postmaster general. They have nine children. (PR)
Kasio Mida wears medals signifying Japan’s highest imperial honor, The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. (MOEKO KITA/APIC)
