Dr. Henry Cisneros’s The Order Of The Rising Sun for US-Japan Ties

American Katerra is honored to take part in a momentous occasion that showcases the historic connections between San Antonio and Japan. Our team was officially invited by the Japanese government to attend the award ceremony and community concert for Dr. Henry Cisneros being awarded “The Order of the Rising Sun”, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon on July 30th, 2025. Presented by the Emperor of Japan, this prestigious honor acknowledges long-standing partnerships that promote economic and cultural exchange between San Antonio and Japan. Seeing these bridges built between nations fires us up, as a San Antonio-based company we see opportunity and a push for future business growth.

A trailblazing figure in public service and urban development, Dr. Henry Cisneros has a legacy that is deeply woven into the fabric of San Antonio. The first Governor in modern Texas history to do so, he was born and raised in San Antonio where he served as Mayor from 1981-1989. The first Hispanic ever elected statewide in Texas with over one million votes cast, Dr. Cisneros spent his time in office pursuing projects that revitalized San Antonio economically, helping with global investment and cultural exchange ideas. Following his time as mayor, Dr. Cisneros served as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in President Bill Clinton’s Administration from 1993 to 1997, during which he restored the agency to financial health and significantly refocused it on its urban renewal mission. A U.S. Army veteran, he earned degrees from Texas A&M University, Harvard University, and George Washington University. CityView, an investment firm specializing in urban real estate, the firm Dr. Cisneros founded and chairs today, is an advocate for inclusive growth. He also serves as the Senior Advisor at American Triple I, a veteran, and active in various civic and economic engagements. He and his wife, former San Antonio city councilmember Mrs. Mary Alice Cisneros, have two children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Cisneros’ legacy in promoting San Antonio-Japanese relations is particularly interesting. As mayor, he was instrumental in the founding of the sister city relationship with Kumamoto, Japan in 1987 and in bringing Toyota’s manufacturing plant to the city in 2003 — now a major source of local jobs and economic sustainability.

On the grounds of a courtyard decorated with cherry blossom symbolism signifying rebirth and friendship, dignitaries and community leaders plus those who have stood behind Dr. Cisneros in his efforts gathered to honor him. Dr. Cisneros was honored with the medal before a crowd of more than 300, as Mr. Zentaro Naganuma, Consul General of Japan in Houston who presented the award on behalf of the Emperor noted Cisneros’ long-standing role in advancing relations between the two countries. “Japanese Order of the Rising Sun” is a national decoration awarded by the Emperor of Japan; it was established in 1875 and is the highest award bestowed on non-citizens who have made a significant contribution to enhance goodwill between Japanese and foreign citizens as well as promoting world peace, literature, arts, culture, and community development. The honor carries the message from Dr. Cisneros himself, stressing that this one Ties of San Antonio has been achieved thanks to the tireless work of those hundreds that have formed so many lasting bonds with Japan.

• Dr. Henry Cisneros, who spoke of Japan’s own remarkable transformation from militarism to a shining example of peaceful prosperity and democracy.
• The Honorable Congressman Mr. Joaquin Castro shared his praise for Cisneros’ lifelong dedication to public service and international cooperation.
• Ms. Gina Ortiz Jones, The Honorable Mayor of San Antonio who highlighted continuing opportunities to grow ties.
• H.E. Mr. Kazufumi Onishi, Mayor of the City of Kumamoto in San Antonio’s sister city established strong initiatives on disaster resilience and cultural exchange.
• Bexar County Judge Mr. Peter Sakai said Mr. Luis Cisneros had made an impact on local government and the poor.

In addition, toasts and addresses also included heartfelt references to the 40-year development of the partnership. It traces all the way back to 1984, from the moment when Mayor Cisneros extended the first handshake of friendship to Japanese leaders, to modern times, including the creation of an East Asian Studies program at the University of Texas at San Antonio set for 2025.

Finally, after the conferment, a flaw reception accompanied by a shift to the Scottish Rite Hall took place. It was there that the San Antonio Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Music Director Mr. Jeffrey Kahane, performed a community concert. The concert was a blend of old Japanese tunes and new American musical tradition, including the following program:

• Traditional Kimigayo (Japanese national anthem)
• John Stafford Smith, The Star-Spangled Banner
• Leonard Bernstein, Overture to Candide
• Traditional, Sakura Sakura
• Kosaku Yamada, Akatombo (Red Dragonfly)
• Giacomo Puccini, Madame Butterfly, Act III Intermezzo
• Ryuichi Sakamoto, The Last Emperor, Theme
• Aaron Copland, Fanfare for the Common Man
• Aaron Copland, Lincoln Portrait, narrator Henry Cisneros

Fusing the melody of Japan and the US into a harmonious dialogue, the program, as stressed by the program notes, demonstrated how the voices of different people across nations can join as one in harmony.

The benefactors included American Bank, the Sibert Williams Shank Foundation, Herrera Law Firm, Brooks, OpTech Operational Technologies, CityView, Forma, Gomez Law Firm, Alamo Colleges District, along with many others, all of which demonstrated a broad-scale community investment into the relationship.

The award ceremony provided an insight into the strong partnership that has grown over 4 decades. The green technologies combined with Japan’s strong track record in these sectors could signify partnership opportunities for urban infrastructure projects in our city as a gateway into Japan. The success of the Toyota plant is an example of Japanese investment in locals to excel in great innovation. Expanding relationships with the Consulate General of Japan and sister city networks opens doors for American Katerra to form joint ventures, transfer technology, and enter new markets in the US. This not only amplifies our international presence, it also boosts the local economy by bringing in jobs and contributing to a more interconnected world.

We were honored to be invited to this remarkable affair, and are excited about helping write the next chapter of San Antonio-Japan cooperation. Events like this are a reminder that strong local area bonds are the first stop in creating successful businesses.