On 29 April 2008, the Japanese Government announced that a decoration was to be bestowed upon Peter Fremantle Berry, President of The Crown Agents Foundation and former Chairman of The Crown Agents for Overseas Governments and Administrations Ltd., in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the advancement of Japan��s position in the international community through economic cooperation and other activities. The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon will be presented to him by the Japanese ambassador on behalf of His Majesty The Emperor of Japan in July.
After a period of service with Harrisons & Crosfield and the Anglo-Indonesian Corporation, Mr Berry joined the Crown Agents in 1982 as the Director for Asia and the Pacific. Over the years, he strengthened his connections with Japan.
After joining the Crown Agents, where he was promoted to Managing Director and later Chairman, he maintained his keen interest in working with Japan. He played an invaluable role in facilitating the smooth implementation of Japanese projects through his instruction and coordination. Consequently, the Crown Agents became a valuable partner for aid projects and schemes that had great importance for Japan��s foreign policy, including the establishment of a Non-Project Grant Aid scheme, humanitarian assistance toward the NIS countries, denuclearization cooperation with the former Soviet countries, and humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in Iraq.
Mr Berry was appointed a member of the UK-Japan 2000 Group (currently known as the UK-Japan 21st Century Group) based on his expertise in the field of international development and his close association with Japan. Participating in three of the annual Conferences, he contributed to the discussions by offering his opinions on the importance of Japan-UK cooperation in international development.
On hearing that he was to be decorated by the Japanese Government, Mr Berry commented: ��I am deeply honoured to receive this distinguished Award. It reflects, more than any actions on my own part, more than 20 years of partnership between Crown Agents' staff throughout the world and their counterparts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. For me it will, moreover, be a constant happy reminder of my many and lasting friendships with Japanese colleagues.��
Throughout his professional life, Mr Berry has contributed to advancing Japan��s position in the international community by actively supporting projects of international political significance. As a highly regarded practitioner in the field of development assistance, he has also played a valuable role in advancing Japan��s position by enlightening other experts in this field on the significance of Japanese policy and projects. He well deserves to be honoured for his outstanding contribution to Japan-UK relations.
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