Embassy of Japan in Uganda

On September 3^rd at the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Tatsumasa OKU, Managing Director of Smiley Earth, an Osaka-based company specializing on towels made of Ugandan organic cotton, was awarded Ambassador’s commendation for his remarkable contributions to the Japan-Uganda relationship. He was the mastermind of the twinning of Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture, and Gulu

Ambassador’s commendation is given to a person or organization in recognition of their contribution toward promoting mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Uganda

At the ceremony, Ambassador Kameda said the followings regarding Mr.Oku:

Mr. Oku, who follows the footstep of Mr.Kashiwada,  has been producing towels made of Ugandan organic cotton in Izumisano, Osaka, Japan.

He not only purchases cotton from Gulu but also contributes to sustaining cotton farmers’ lives and grow cotton in an environmentally friendly way.

Based on the above mentioned connection to Gulu, he got Gulu and Izumisano City to sign MOU on cooperation.

• Mr. Oku also helped Izumisano city to become a 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Host Town to welcome Ugandan athletes for the occasion
• Mr. Oku has athletics background and because of that experience and link to the athletics friends, he was able to make Tateshina Town to be the 2nd host town in Japan for Uganda for the occasion of 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• I hope Mr. Oku will keep developing his Smiley Earth company based on the Uganda produced organic cotton and also keep promoting Japan-Uganda friendly relationship in future.
• In recognition of above-mentioned contributions, I would like to award Mr. Tatsumasa OKU the first Ambassador’s commendation

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