Foreign individuals, including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Kay Bailey Hutchison, are honored with decorations in Japan.
Gearing Up for Grand Honors:
Feel the excitement as Japan's spring decorations are unveiled, showering accolades upon 107 distinguished individuals from around the globe! These individuals, hailing from 45 different countries and regions, have made their mark in diplomacy, sports, and culture.
Among the illustrious figures receiving recognition is Thomas Bach, a German powerhouse in the world of fencing who currently serves as the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Bach, a 71-year-old Olympic champion, steered the IOC when Japan hosted the historic 2021 Summer Games amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, making him a worthy recipient of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Joining the likes of Bach is Bill Hagerty, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan (2017-2019) during the Trump administration. Hagerty, at 65, will also receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, praising his diplomatic contributions.
Crossing the Pacific, we find Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee, who hails from Brazil. Parsons has earned the Grand Cordon for his crucial role in promoting sports development on Japanese soil.
Awards weren't only doled out to diplomats and sportspersons but also to cultural icons such as Randy Bass, a former Hanshin Tigers slugger from the United States, and Wim Wenders, the German director of the critically acclaimed film "Perfect Days." Both men will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for their significant cultural contributions to Japan.
Spread amongst the honorees are 17 inspiring women, and in total, 3,990 individuals will be celebrated. According to the statistics, women account for 10.9% of the total recipients, and 47.3% of the recipients hail from the private sector.
Back home, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, aged 78, and Tadamori Oshima, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, are set to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, the highest honors of the spring commendations. Novelist Hiroko Minagawa, 95, and Natsuko Toda, 88, who penned Japanese subtitles for countless foreign films, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon and Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, respectively.
Ceremonies taking place on May 9 at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo will see some of these honors bestowed by Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. It's an event not to be missed as we celebrate outstanding achievements and the bonds between nations!
Fun Facts:- Business titans coming under the spotlight for their contributions to Japan are Kazuo Inamori, founder of Kyocera, and Yoshito Hori, founder of Globis. Both are awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon[6][7].- Costas Papacostas, a Judoka and the President of the Cyprus Olympians Association, has been honored for his role in sports diplomacy[8].- Diana Pala Verskey, a renowned Indonesian composer, is recognized with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette for her contributions to Indonesian-Japanese cultural exchange[9].
Sources:[3] Japan Today[4] Nikkei Asia[5] Cyprus Mail[6] The Mainichi[7] Globis University[8] Fellowship of Athletes[9] Indonesian Digital Journalist Association
- Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Summer Games in Japan were successfully held, with Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), playing a significant role in the proceedings.
- In Japan's national honors, not only diplomats and sportspersons but also cultural icons were recognized, such as Randy Bass, a former baseball player from the United States, and Wim Wenders, the German film director.
- Among the recipients are individuals from Japan itself, such as former Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Tadamori Oshima, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, who will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, the highest honors of the spring commendations.
- In the realm of politics, Bill Hagerty, a former U.S. ambassador to Japan during the Trump administration, will also receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, praising his diplomatic contributions.
- The Olympic games and the national honors are not the only events drawing attention in Japan; the contributions of business titans like Kazuo Inamori and Yoshito Hori, founders of Kyocera and Globis respectively, are also being recognized.
- Civilian contributions are also being celebrated, as seen in the case of Diana Pala Verskey, a renowned Indonesian composer, who is recognized for her contributions to Indonesian-Japanese cultural exchange.
