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Japan honors Kalla with Order of the Rising Sun for fostering bilateral ties
The Japanese government has recognized two-time vice president Jusuf Kalla for his contributions to bilateral relations by awarding him with the Order of the Rising Sun.
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ormer vice president Jusuf Kalla has received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest Japanese award for foreign nationals, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between the two countries.
Emperor Naruhito bestowed the honorary award from the Japanese government in a ceremony on Tuesday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo posted to its Instagram account. Accompanied by his wife, Mufidah Kalla, the two-time vice president entered the Imperial Palace around 9:30 a.m. in Tokyo that day.
Kalla told a press conference that he was grateful for the honor. “This award is not only for me, but also for the Indonesian people,” he said as quoted by Kompas.com.
He added that Indonesia-Japan relations were strong and thus, needed to be maintained by the two governments.
A noted statesman, Kalla served as first-term vice president to both President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, in 2014-2019 and Jokowi’s predecessor, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, in 2004-2009.
Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi expressed his hope that Kalla would continue to support the efforts to strengthen Indonesian-Japanese ties, Kompas.com reported.
Kalla is among a handful of foreign leaders who have received the Japanese order during this year’s spring conferment for their contribution to bilateral ties. The awardees include former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, according to a document published on the website of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji and awarded to those who made distinguished civil and military achievements, including international relations, promoting Japanese culture, social welfare and the environment.
It is the most frequently conferred order and the third highest after the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, and was first conferred on non-Japanese recipients in 1981.
The highest award is the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
