Atsuko Toko Fish

Atsuko Toko Fish is a Japanese-American known for her work in promoting women in leadership in Japan, promoting United States-Japan relations, and philanthropy.

Work

Fish grew up in Tokyo and her father was a diplomat who brought an international view to family discussions.[1][2] In the 1970s, Fish was a sports television producer in Japan, the first woman to hold this role.[2] She moved to the United States in 1983 and worked with Governor Michael Dukakis to help Massachusetts set up a trade and business partnership with Japan.[2] In 2006, Fish founded the Japanese Women's Leadership Initiative which brought Japanese women to the United States to learn leadership from nonprofits and other entities.[3][4][5] She founded the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund after 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami which provided aid from Boston to Japan to provided services in areas impacted by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.[1][2] She has worked in support of immigrant populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and received an award from the Rian Immigrant Center in recognition of her work in this arena.[6]

Awards and honors

In 1997, Fish was one of six people awarded the Governor's New American Appreciation Award for her contribution to Massachusetts.[7] In 2012, she was awarded the Foreign Minister's Commendation by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[8] In 2013, the United States' White House named Fish a Champion of Change for her work on "innovation and social change".[9][10][11] In 2018 Fish received the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class, Gold Rays with Rosette, from Emperor Akihito of Japan in recognition of her work on "advancement of women's leadership in Japan".[12]

References
  1. Danielson, Brittany (2011-07-28). "Called home, and called to action". The Boston Globe. pp. B7. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  2. "Article continued, page B11". The Boston Globe. 2011-07-28. pp. B11. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  3. "A life well lived". Japan Today. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  4. Emmott, Bill (2020-09-25). Japan's Far More Female Future: Increasing Gender Equality and Reducing Workplace Insecurity Will Make Japan Stronger. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-263498-6.
  5. Hueston, Dave (2017-08-09). "Philanthropist looks to groom more Japanese women leaders in quest for social change". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  6. Hill, Jessica (October 15, 2020). "Outsized impact". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  7. "Proud Americans". The Boston Globe. 1997-10-19. p. 40. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
  8. "Atsuko Toko Fish". U.S.-Japan Council. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  9. "Atsuko Toko Fish". The White House. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  10. admin (10 May 2013). "Atsuko Fish Honored by the White House – Japanese Women's Leadership Initiative". Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  11. "Empowering Women at Home and Abroad". whitehouse.gov. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  12. Brown, Lillian (2018-11-14). "Atusuko Toko Fish receives prestigious award from the emperor of Japan". The Boston Globe. pp. B12. Retrieved 2022-03-21.
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