Japan has recognized former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and former National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley for their contributions to strengthening the bilateral alliance.
In a decoration ceremony in Washington on Thursday, a message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was read by an embassy official, saying Japan remembers the assistance and disaster relief provided by Operation Tomodachi under Gates' leadership after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
"The people of Japan will never forget the dedication and support by the U.S. military under the leadership of Secretary Gates," Abe said in the message.