His Majesty King Charles III has approved Honorary MBEs for Japanese horticulturalist Miss Kay Yamada and business leader Mr Tadashi Yanai. The awards, announced by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the British Embassy in Tokyo, recognise their contributions to British horticulture and Paralympic sport respectively.
Miss Kay Yamada and Mr Tadashi Yanai have been awarded Honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) following approval by King Charles III.
Announced on 20 February 2026 by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the British Embassy Tokyo, the honours recognise Yamada’s decades promoting British gardening traditions in Japan and Yanai’s support for ParalympicsGB and disability inclusion, highlighting cultural and sporting links between the UK and Japan.
Royal honours announced for services abroad
Honorary MBEs are awarded to non-UK citizens who have made notable contributions to British society, institutions, or international partnerships. The awards recognise achievements that advance shared values and cooperation beyond the United Kingdom.
In this case, the honours highlight contributions in two distinct areas: horticultural exchange and Paralympic sport development.
Honour Overview
| Award | Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) |
| Recipients | Miss Kay Yamada and Mr Tadashi Yanai |
| Recognising body | His Majesty King Charles III |
| Announcing institutions | FCDO and British Embassy Tokyo |
Kay Yamada’s contribution to British horticulture in Japan
Miss Yamada is a horticulturalist, garden designer, and part owner of Barakura English Garden in Nagano Prefecture, widely recognised as Japan’s first English-style garden. She has spent more than three decades promoting British gardening techniques, design traditions, and environmental values.
Through her educational work, including the Kay Yamada Gardening School and the annual Barakura Flower Show, she has facilitated knowledge exchange with UK experts and institutions while introducing British horticulture to new audiences.
- Barakura English Garden established in Nagano
- Founder of the Kay Yamada Gardening School
- Organiser of the Barakura Flower Show
Educational and Cultural Initiatives
| Gardening School | Provides instruction on British horticultural practices |
| Flower Show | Hosts events featuring UK horticultural experts |
| Professional Links | Collaboration with UK gardening institutions |
Tadashi Yanai’s support for Paralympic sport and inclusion
Mr Yanai has supported ParalympicsGB since 2019, offering advocacy, strategic insight, and philanthropic contributions that contributed to the team’s success at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. His work has helped strengthen cooperation between UK and Japanese Paralympic organisations.
He also promoted disability inclusion through wider cultural initiatives, including projects focused on accessibility and public awareness, supporting efforts to advance inclusive societies through sport and community engagement.
Official Comments
British Embassy Tokyo spokesperson said;
“These honours recognise two individuals whose work has strengthened the partnership between the United Kingdom and Japan through culture, sport, and shared values.”
In Conclusion
The Honorary MBEs awarded to Miss Kay Yamada and Mr Tadashi Yanai recognise sustained contributions that have deepened cultural and sporting ties between the United Kingdom and Japan.
By promoting British horticulture, supporting Paralympic achievement, and advancing inclusive values, their work illustrates how individual initiatives can strengthen international relationships over time.
Sources: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; British Embassy Tokyo.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
