One of the most prestigious Japanese decorations, ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Golden and Silver Star’, was conferred upon Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Bahwan, Chairman, Saud Bahwan Group at an award ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe personally presented the award and certificate to Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Bahwan, who was then received by His Majesty Emperor Akihito. “For bestowing this profound honour, I would like to thank His Majesty Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister ShinzoAbe. It is indeed a great privilege to accept the Order of the Rising Sun, Golden and Silver Star,” said Mohammed bin Saud Bahwan. He also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Government of Japan, Ambassadors – H.E. Mitsugu Saito, Ambassador of Japan to Sultanate of Oman and H.E. Khalid al Muslahi, Ambassador of Sultanate of Oman to Japan, for their contribution to the success of the Tokyo visit.

The prestigious honour is in recognition of the substantial contributions made by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Bahwan towards promoting bilateral cultural relations and mutual understanding between the two great nations. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Bahwan is also the Chairman of the Oman Japan Friendship Association (OJFA) playing a vital role towards enhancing ties between the two great nations. Over the years, the Association has conducted several cultural exchange programmes and paved the way for improving people-to-people contacts.

The Order of the Rising Sun was first introduced in 1875. It is the first ever order to be conferred by the Government of Japan. It is one of the most prestigious Japanese decorations granted to non-Japanese nationals since 1981.