Japanese government honors Reusch’s service

Bonnie Reusch holds the decorative diploma of appreciation that she was awarded last Friday by the Japanese government at the Japanese Consul to the CNMI’s office. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

The Japanese government honored one of the longest-serving employee of the Japanese consulate on Saipan last Monday, nearly 10 years after her retirement, with a conferment ceremony.

The Japanese consul general in Guam, Izumi Seki, joined Japanese consul to the CNMI, Kinji Shinoda, on Monday to confer The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays to Vinnie Reusch.

The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays consists of a decorative diploma of appreciation and a silver medal.

Reusch, a Danish citizen, came to Saipan back in 1978, serving as the office clerk of the Japanese consulate when the office was first established in 1980. She worked with the office until her retirement in August 2008.

According to Seki, Reusch served the office during its busiest period, a period when Japanese tourists and businesses were rapidly increasing in the CNMI and many foreigners who lived in the CNMI travelled through Japan, requiring transit visas.

“During such a busy period and time of a revolution in the CNMI, due to her contribution, the office had been able to manage to perform various kinds of duties and process in [an] accurate and speedy manner. I highly appreciate Mrs. Reusch’s hard effort and great contribution,” she said

Aside from issuing Japanese visas, Reusch also gained various knowledge related to the Consular Office duties, gave advice, and trained younger staff in the office. In such a way, she made additional contribution to the office.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan commended Reusch for her long service with the office in July 1998. Reusch was also awarded the Consul-General Commendation in February 2017.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that she was an indispensable staff in the office. This is the reason why the government of Japan has decided to confer her ‘The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays,’” said Seki.

Reusch said she was honored to get the award from the Japanese government after all her years of service.

“It has been a wonderful 28 years. It was an exciting job most of the time…I met a lot of wonderful people and worked with a lot of wonderful people and it was always good…I have a lot of wonderful memories and I’m glad that people appreciated me too,” she said.

Present for Reusch’s ceremony were a handful of her close confidants who witnessed her years of service to the Japanese government.