Peace envoy Akashi, scholar Curtis among honorees to be decorated

0 Comments | Asian Political News, Nov 8, 2004

TOKYO, Nov. 3 Kyodo

Yasushi Akashi, a former U.N. undersecretary general who led a 1992-1993 U.N. peace mission in Cambodia, and Gerald Curtis, a U.S. political scientist and scholar on Japan, are among the more than 4,000 Japanese and 48 non-Japanese citizens to be decorated this fall for their contributions to Japan and Japanese society, the government said Wednesday.

The highest order, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, will go to 12 Japanese recipients, including Akashi, 73, who is currently involved in Sri Lanka's peace talks.

Akashi was cited for his contribution to international peace and stability due to his accomplishment in holding several U.N. posts, including undersecretary general for public information, disarmament affairs and humanitarian affairs. He also served as head of the 1992-1993 U.N. Transitional Authority in Cambodia mission.

Currently, he is serving as Japan's special peace envoy to Sri Lanka to help in that country's peace talks with the Tamil Tiger rebels over a decades-long separatist conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The 11 other recipients of the same award include Akito Arima, 74, a former president of the University of Tokyo and former education minister. An authority on nuclear physics, he has been recognized for his contribution to advancing research in his field.

The second-highest accolade -- the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure -- will be awarded to two persons -- former Public Prosecutor General Takaharu Dohi, 71, and former Kyoto University President Yasunori Nishijima, 77.

A total of 4,065 Japanese are to receive the annual autumn decoration, with a record 1,680 of them coming from the private sector, a Cabinet official said, reflecting the government's intention to avoid the public sector being overrepresented.

There are 313 women recipients.

The 48 foreign honorees, six of whom are female, represented 24 countries.

Of them, Curtis, a professor of political science at Columbia University in New York, will be honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for his role in contributing to advancing research about Japan as well as promoting mutual understanding and political exchanges between Japan and the United States.

Curtis, 64, is a well-known U.S. political scientist and specialist on Japanese politics whose major works include, ''Policy-making in Japan: Defining the Role of Politicians.'' He is also on the board of trustees of the U.S.-Japan Foundation.

Apart from Curtis, 12 other recipients are from the United States.

The award is also being given to four people from South Korea, three from Britain, and two each from Australia, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Hungary, Brazil and Russia.

There is one recipient each from Italy, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, China, Denmark, Nigeria, New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Mexico and Mongolia.

Shunichiro Okano, 73, former president of the Japan Football Association, will also be given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

Internationally known jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi, 74, veteran actress Kyoko Kagawa, 72, and Shinji Ueda, 71, a playwright known for ''Berusaiyu no Bara'' (The Rose of Versailles) performed by the Japanese all-female Takarazuka troupe, will be given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Recipients of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure will receive the decorations from Emperor Akihito on Friday at the Imperial Palace.

Recipients of the second-tier orders will receive their honors from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the same day at the palace. The rest will receive their decorations from Cabinet ministers.

The decorations are done biannually.