On 3 November 2015, the Government of Japan announced the 2015 Autumn Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. The Decorations are conferred on those individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions towards friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and their own countries.
The Lord Rees of Ludlow, Kt, OM, FRS
The Government of Japan bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, upon The Lord Rees of Ludlow Kt, OM, FRS, former President of the Royal Society, Fellow of Trinity College Cambridge and current Astronomer Royal, in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening and developing relations between Japan and the United Kingdom for many years.
Lord Rees’ achievements are not limited to his work as an astronomer, but also include his significant efforts in promoting research collaboration and academic exchange between Japan and the UK in the field of science and technology. During his time as the President of the Royal Society, he helped to develop collaboration with the Science Council of Japan, alongside President Kiyoshi Kurokawa. He has also played a key role in the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, which is held annually in Japan.
Lord Rees has also made an invaluable contribution to promoting science in Japanese academia, including his role in the establishment of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, for whom he served as a board member for a number of years. He also spent time at Kyoto University in his role as a member of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
In the United Kingdom, Lord Rees has welcomed and taught many Japanese researchers at Cambridge University’s Institute of Astronomy, where he served as Director for ten years, and has also been a regular participant in science-technology cooperation activities at the Embassy of Japan in the UK.
The Government of Japan recognises the significant contribution that Lord Rees has made throughout his career to Japan-UK relations, and he therefore greatly deserves to be honoured with this Decoration.
Mr Robert Lincoln Guy LVO
The Government of Japan bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette on Mr Robert Lincoln Guy LVO, former Executive Director and latterly Consultant of the Japan Society as well as retired Captain of the Royal Navy, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to Japan-UK relations in the fields of culture, education and Japanese language teaching in the UK.
As the Executive Director of the Japan Society, he was responsible for the management and activities of the organisation, and he has maintained his vital contribution to the Society by strengthening and improving its structure in order to step up the promotion of the Japan-UK relationship from the grassroots level via cultural and educational exchange.
Mr Guy has done much to further ties between the two countries by contributing to the activities undertaken by regional Japan Societies in the UK and other organisations promoting Japanese culture as well as cooperating with the Japan-British Society in Tokyo. Furthermore, with his background in the armed forces, he has been extremely supportive of reconciliation between former British PoWs and the Japanese people.
The Government of Japan highly appreciates Mr Guy’s sterling efforts to promote friendship with Japan throughout his professional career and he therefore well deserves to be honoured for his outstanding contribution to Japan-UK relations.
Mr Graham Peter Hardman
The Government of Japan bestowed the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, upon Mr Graham Peter Hardman, former Chairman of the Japanese Garden Society and current Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Garden Society, in recognition of his significant contribution to introducing and promoting Japanese Gardens in the United Kingdom.
Mr Hardman has made a great contribution to the introduction, maintenance and preservation of Japanese gardens in the United Kingdom. He has also widely promoted the knowledge and experience of Japanese gardens in the UK through his management and support of the activities of the Japanese Garden Society as well as through his lectures, talks and writings.
Mr Hardman served as Chairman of the Japanese Garden Society from 2003 to 2010 and has been Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Garden Society since 2010.
During this time he has taken part in the design, construction and maintenance of a number of Japanese gardens in the UK. He has also contributed to preserving and restoring existing Japanese gardens in the UK. Through his efforts to introduce, preserve and restore the gardens, British people now have many opportunities to see and enjoy beautiful Japanese gardens throughout the UK.
Mr Hardman has also devoted his efforts to structuring and strengthening the Japanese Garden Society’s activities. The Japanese Garden Society has been a registered charity since 2010, and this registration was achieved mainly due to Mr Hardman’s endeavours.
The Government of Japan recognises the significant contribution that Mr Hardman has made throughout his career to Japan-UK relations, and is pleased to honour him with this Decoration.
|
