Japanese Government Recognition for József Király

The Government of Japan has announced the Spring 2022 Honors for foreigners, including an order of merit to József Király in Hungary.

According to the statement, the Honorary President of the Kecskemét-Aomori Friendship Circle has been awarded ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays’ for his contribution to the promotion of regional relations by encouraging twinning relations.

József Király is a founding member of the Hungarian-Japanese Friendship Society of Kecskemét (now the Kecskemét-Aomori Friendship Circle) established in 1987. As president of the association, later honorary president of the association, and as a representative of the Municipality of Kecskemét, he has played various roles in the organization of regular events such as the ‘Japan Day’, presenting Japanese culture, or through numerous lectures, such as those organized for Japanese students and Japanese researchers, and by promoting the spread of Japanese language teaching in schools in Kecskemét, he has contributed to the relations between Japan and Hungary and to projects introducing Japan.

In 2012, in commemoration of the friendly relationship with the city of Aomori and the victims of the East Japan earthquake, he organized a cherry tree planting festival in front of the Rákóczi Ferenc II Elementary School in Kecskemét. Later, thanks also to the efforts of József Király, this place was named Aomori Park, which – through increasing the presence of Aomori town in Kecskemét – promoted the friendly relationship between Japan and Hungary, and made a deep impression on the citizens of Kecskemét. The cherry tree planting ceremony is now held every spring.

József Király also contributed to the martial arts and sports relations between Japan and Hungary by founding and running the Hungarian Nanbudo Association and the Hakkoda Dojo.