News: Order of the Rising Sun Honours
About The Order of the Rising Sun
The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese decoration of honour. Orders are awarded by the Government of Japan in April each year to individuals from both Japan and abroad who have made distinguished contributions to the advancement of Japan. The Order has six classes, and it honours achievements in a variety of areas, including the promotion of culture and international relations.
2021 (Spring) Honours
In April 2021, six Australians were awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the government of Japan. The most prominent personage among the awardees was former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who was honoured with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest class in the Order. Other awardees include Ms Sally Shimada, former Japanese language education consultant for the NSW Department of Education, and Ms Cathy Jonak, former Japanese language education consultant for The Japan Foundation, Sydney, who were both awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.
The Japan Foundation, Sydney warmly congratulates Ms Gillard, Ms Shimada and Ms Jonak on their awards.
Related links:
- 2021 Order of the Rising Sun Awardee List (in Japanese only)
- Article: “Japan Honours Former Australian PM Gillard”, NHK World (April 29, 2021)
- See an extended article in Japanese from NHK News here
(Links correct as at April 29, 2021.)
2020 (Spring) Honours
In April 2020, Professor Purnendra Jain of The University of Adelaide was conferred with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (the third class of the Order) by the Government of Japan. An award ceremony was held in Adelaide in March 2021. The Japan Foundation, Sydney warmly congratulates Professor Jain on this most prestigious honour.
Professor Jain specialises in contemporary Japan politics and foreign policy, with an additional focus on Australia and India. His most recent publication is Japan’s Foreign Policy in the Twenty-First Century: Continuity and Change (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020), which is co-authored with Dr Lam Peng Er (National University of Singapore).
Professor Jain is a past Japan Foundation fellow, and a recipient of Japan Foundation project grants.
Related links:
- University profile page
- 2020 Order of the Rising Sun Awardee List
- Award ceremony news post (via Asian Studies Association of Australia)
(Links correct as at April 9, 2021.)
For information on awardees from previous years, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website (awardee lists available in Japanese only).
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