Mr Fumiyuki Saijo, of Otaru-Shi, Japan, MNZM, for services to New Zealand-Japan relations
Fumiyuki Saijo has been a driving force behind the sister-city relationship between Dunedin and Otaru, Japan. Saijo San has visited New Zealand more than 20 times, fostering connections between Japan and New Zealand across trade, education, sport, cultural and youth exchanges. He is President of the Otaru New Zealand Society and the Hokkaido Federation of New Zealand Societies. He has been instrumental in the gifting of significant cultural gifts to Dunedin. He is a member of the Japan New Zealand Business Council. As President of the Alumni Society of Otaru Choryo High School, Saijo San initiated a sponsorship programme for Otaru students to study at Otago University Language Centre.