press release

Consulate General of Japan in Detroit

Contact: Midori Takeuchi, Deputy Consul General
313-567-0120 / midori.takeuchi@mofa.go.jp

Ms. Sumako M. Nebel, Battle Creek, MI, Awarded the Consul General’s Commendation

January 14, 2013 - In recognition of her many contributions to the friendship between the United States and Japan, Consul General Kuninori Matsuda has conferred upon Ms. Sumako M. Nebel of Battle Creek, Michigan a commendation.

Ms. Nebel’s list of civic accomplishments is exceptional: from founding and managing the Battle Creek International Ethnic Festival as well as playing an active role on the Battle Creek Area International Relations Committee, Battle Creek Community Foundation, the Art Center and the other many organizations, she has spent over 40 years building an expansive network of good relations with local government officials.

She has also been an active player in the popular International Festival of Light ever since the first meeting after the event was launched by Denso in 1991. Through this work, she has helped to build bridges between the Battle Creek’s Japanese and American communities.

Additionally, Ms. Nebel has worked with Battle Creek Unlimited, an economic development organization, to entice Japanese businesses to the area.  She has also made a great contribution to the development of the local Japanese community, launching the Battle Creek Japan Club and otherwise providing support to Japanese employees working long term in the area.

She has also been continuously involved in Battle Creek’s sister city relationship with Takasaki City since it was initiated in 1986. With dedication to the program worthy of a coordinator, she offers support to students visiting from Japan as well as to American students who are planning to go to Japan.

For her diverse contributions to the US-Japan community, and for her many years of continuous effort in promoting goodwill, Consul General Kuninori Matsuda presented Ms. Sumiko M. Nebel with a commendation on January 12, 2013, at the Battle Creek Japan Club’s New Year’s Celebration, with the enthusiastic support of the attendees.

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