Former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan in a formal ceremony in Tokyo.
Del Rosario was conferred the highest honor, along with former Secretary of Finance Carlos G. Dominguez III, for being instrumental in building the Japan-Philippines bilateral relationship towards becoming a “strategic partnership.”
Del Rosario was also cited for his “significant contributions in ensuring the safety of ships in the waters around the Philippines and strengthening maritime security relations between both nations.”
The Japanese government had also announced last week that former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade is given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star; David Carter, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays; lawyer Josue Sim Zuniega, Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays; and, Sakai Michiko, the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.
An official press release from Del Rosario’s office said Emperor Naruhito conferred the honor, which is the highest of six classes in the Order.
Del Rosario served during the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III.
Del Rosario was “instrumental in building the Japan-Philippines bilateral relationship towards becoming a ‘strategic partnership,’” the Japanese government said.
It can be recalled that the country’s former top diplomat pushed for arbitration over the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea, resulting in a landmark ruling in 2016 declaring Beijing’s claims as having no legal basis.
Del Rosario thanked the honor given to him and said he is proud to share the award with all his colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Japanese government, mea while, said that Dominguez “exercised outstanding leadership in promoting cooperation” between Japan and the Philippines.
He contributed “in many ways to Japan-Philippines bilateral policies and strengthened economic relations over the recent years”, it added.
Tugade, who is given the second honor in the Order, “promoted bilateral cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in the field
of transportation, including rai= ways, aviation, and maritime security”, Japan said.
He made “substantial contributions” to enhancing Japan-Philippines maritime security cooperation.
In a statement Tuesday, Tugade said that with the award, “the relationship and cooperation of the Philippines and Japan strengthen and will continue to flourish and be strong in the years to come.”
Meanwhile, Carter, a key figure in the promotion and development of judo in the Philippines and was awarded with the fifth honor in the Order.
Zuniega is given the sixth class in the Order for his tireless contribution “to improving the status of Nikkei-jin in the Philippines and enhancing mutual understanding between Japan and the Philippines through his activities at the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center.”
Sakai is given the same award for supporting children of Japanese descendants in Cotabato.
The Order of the Rising Sun has been conferred on several Filipinos in the past, including former President Jose Laurel and several Philippine ambassadors to Japan, according to the Official Gazette.
The Japanese embassy in Manila had said that the awarding of honors, including decorations and medals, is an act performed by the Emperor with the advice and approval of the Cabinet, based on Article 7 of the Constitution of Japan.