Japan to honor Indonesians for improving bilateral ties

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 04/30/2008 1:10 PM  |  World

Japan has awarded three prominent Indonesians for their contributions in reinforcing relations between Japan and Indonesia, the Japanese Embassy said Tuesday.

The three were Regional Representatives Council (DPD) chairman Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Al Azhar Indonesia University rector (and former research and technology minister) Zuhal and the former Indonesian ambassador to Japan, Wisber Loeis.

The Association of Indonesia-Japan Friendship's (PPIJ) advisory chairman (and former energy minister), Ginandjar, will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest award Japan can bestow on non-Japanese citizens.

Ginandjar is said to have contributed greatly to strengthening the friendship and economic ties between the two countries.

Previous recipients of the award include presidential adviser (and former foreign minister) Ali Alatas (in 2007), former vice president Sudharmono and former justice minister Ismail Saleh (in 1997), said Masaki Tani, director of the Japanese Embassy's information and culture center.

Zuhal -- praised for actively pursuing technology and research cooperation -- and Wisber -- for strengthening relations between Japan and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- have been conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Stars.

Tani said Ginandjar was scheduled to receive the award from the Emperor of Japan in Tokyo, May 8.

The other two, he said, would be given the award in Jakarta by Japan's new ambassador to Indonesia, Kojiro Shiojiri.

"The new ambassador is expected to be in Jakarta in June," he said.

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