TOKYO: The Japanese government is awarding Imperial Orders and other decorations to seven prominent Arab figures from Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Sudan, and Mauritania for their contributions in strengthening relations between their countries and Japan. The Arab honorees were among 124 foreigners from 53 countries, who were honored.

Egypt had the largest share among the honored Arabs, with three honorees.

They were Maged Abdelfatah Abdelaziz, former under-secretary-general and special advisor on Africa to the UN Secretary General; Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; and Zahi Hawass, former minister of state for antiquities affairs. They were all honored with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.

Badr Bin Saud Bin Hareb Al Busaidi, the minister responsible for defense affairs in Oman, was bestowed with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for his contribution to strengthening relations between Japan and Oman on national defense.

Taki Ould Sidi, former Ambassador of Mauritania to Japan, was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and Mauritania.

Jordan’s Azhar Abu Odeh, former local employee at the Embassy of Japan in Jordan, and Sudan’s Eisa Abbas Othman Idrees, formerly a local employee at the Embassy of Japan in Saudi Arabia were honored with The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays.

Among the honorees from the Middle East, Ala’eddin Boroujerdi, former head of the Iran-Japan Parliamentary Friendship Group, was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting inter-parliamentary exchanges between Japan and Iran. 

From Turkey, Erman Ilicak, former president & chairman of Ronesans Holding, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for his contributions to promoting economic exchanges between Japan and Turkey. Muharrem Demirci, General Director of the Japan Culture & Information Center, was honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays, for his contributions to introducing Japanese culture in Turkey and promoting friendly relations between Japan and Turkey.

The decorations will be conferred at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo next Tuesday, with Emperor Naruhito bestowing the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hand out the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star.