Each year the Japan‑America Society presents the Sun & Star Legacy Award to a leader who has made an exceptional contribution to United States‑Japan relations. Established in 1998, the award is presented in the spring at the Society's annual Awards Dinner.

The Sun & Star Legacy Award carries on the name of Sun & Star 1996, a major festival of Japanese culture held in Texas in 1996. Named for Japan's Rising Sun and the Texas Lone Star, the festival strengthened the ties between Japan and Texas through a series of exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.

The Bridges-to-Friendship Award is given periodically to a local individual or organization for fostering friendship and understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Sun & Star Legacy Award Dinner

2011
Sun & Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
American Airlines
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipients
The Honorable John M. Stich
Honorary Consul General of Japan at Dallas
Honorary Hosts
Mayor Mike and Rosie Moncrief, Tom and Laura Leppert

Past Award Recipients

2010
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable J. Thomas Schieffer
United States Ambassador to Japan, 2005-2009
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipients
Mrs. Margaret Crow and Mr. Trammell S. Crow
Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art
Honorary Hosts
Nolan and Ruth Ryan
Photos

2009
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Ryozo Kato
Japanese Ambassador to the United States, 2001-2008
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
Mrs. Naoko Shirane
Senior Advisor to the State of Texas
Honorary Hosts
Roger and Marianne Staubach
Photos

2008
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda
Honorary Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation
Honorary Hosts
Governor Rick and First Lady Anita Perry
Photos

2007
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
Richard W. Fisher
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
The Honorable Ron Kirk
Former Mayor of Dallas
Honorary Hosts
The Honorable Ron and Matrice Kirk
Photos

2006
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
George Takei
Actor
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
Mrs. Elaine Yoko Yamagata
Founder, Fort Worth Japanese Society
Honorary Hosts
Marla and Mike Boone
Photos

2005
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
Masatoshi Ito
Founder & Honorary Chairman, Ito-Yokado Group
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
Dr. H. Neill McFarland
Founder, Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
Honorary Hosts
Jan and Arnold E. Holtberg
Photos

2004
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Norman Y. Mineta
United States Secretary of Transportation
Honorary Host
Gerald J. Arpey
Photos

2003
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Yasuhiro Nakasone
Prime Minister of Japan, 1982-1987
Honorary Hosts
Jim and Margo Keyes
Photos

2002
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Michael H. Armacost               
United States Ambassador to Japan, 1989-1993
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
Dr. Norman P. Neureiter
Former Honorary Consul General of Japan
Honorary Hosts
Nancy and Robert Dedman

2001
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
United States Senator from the State of Hawaii, 1962 to present

2000
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Thomas S. Foley
United States Ambassador to Japan, 1997-2001
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipient
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Honorary Hosts
James W. Keyes and Cal Jillson

1999
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Hisashi Owada
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, 1994-1998
Bridges-to-Friendship Award Recipients
EDS
The Honorable Hitoshi Honda
Consul General of Japan
Honorary Hosts
John R. Castle, Jr. and Norman P. Neureiter

1998
Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient
The Honorable Walter F. Mondale
United States Ambassador to Japan, 1993-1996
Honorary Hosts
Jeffrey M. and Carol Heller