THE government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2022 Autumn Conferment of Japanese Decorations.
In the Philippines, the following individuals were decorated on November 3, as confirmed by the Embassy of Japan. It has extended its government’s sincere congratulations, while commending their active roles in strengthening the close ties with the Philippines:
Albert F. del Rosario
HAVING served as secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2011 to 2016, he was key in building the Japan-Philippines bilateral relationship toward becoming a “strategic partnership.” According to the embassy, del Rosario significantly contributed to ensuring the safety of ships navigating the waters around the Philippines by strengthening the maritime security relations between both nations.
The diplomat has also contributed to promoting the rule of law through the arbitration case regarding the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea (SCS/WPS).
Carlos G. Dominguez III
HE served as the secretary of Finance, and Philippine chair of the Japan-Philippines High-level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation from 2016 to 2022.
According to the embassy, Dominguez exercised outstanding leadership in promoting cooperation between the two countries, and contributed to the “fast and sure” implementation of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) in the Philippines. He also took the lead in the further development of the Subic Bay area, which plays an important part in the regional security environment as a strategic point and gateway to the SCS/WPS.
Further, as joint chair of the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body, Dominguez promoted the steady progress of the peace process in Mindanao, which Japan has pushed forward for many years. He has contributed immensely to Japan-Philippines bilateral policies, and strengthened economic relations over the recent years.
Arthur P. Tugade
THE former secretary of Transportation from 2016 to 2022 promoted two-way cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in the field of transportation, which included railways, aviation, and maritime security.
In particular, the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway Project—both supported by Japan’s ODA—advanced smoothly under his leadership despite limitations posed by the pandemic. He also made substantial contributions to enhancing Japanese-Philippine maritime-security cooperation through the signing of a memorandum of cooperation fostering information exchange and human-resource development, as well as through regular meetings, close information sharing between officials, and joint training exercises, disclosed the embassy.
David F. Carter
HE was a key figure in the promotion and development of judo in the Philippines, being a member of the Kodokan Judo Institute in Japan holding a fifth dan blackbelt, and a sports fellow of the Japan Foundation since 2001.
The embassy said that Carter also amassed vast professional experiences in coaching and managing regional and international judo events. At present he is the secretary-general of the Philippine Judo Federation Inc. and is the concurrent director of the Philippine Olympic Committee.
His dedication to judo has paved the way for the deepening and broadening of Japanese-Philippine relations, especially in the field of sports cooperation. The judoka continues to be an active member of the Judo Union of Asia as its sports director, and with the International Judo Federation.
Atty. Josue Sim Zuniega
THE lawyer tirelessly contributed to improving the status of nikkei-jin or the Japanese diaspora in the Philippines, while enhancing mutual understanding between the two nations through his activities at the Philippine Nikkei-jin Legal Support Center.
Atty. Zuniega smoothly facilitated activities of Japanese enterprises and residents in the country for years, noted the embassy.
Michiko Sakai
THE government of Japan also announced the conferment of the “Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays” on Michiko Sakai—a volunteer who constantly supported children of Japanese descent in the Cotabato Region.
The Cotabato Nikkeijin-kai (International School) was formally created in 1988, with Sakai as its first president. She devoted herself to improving the welfare of the local Japanese, as she provided educational opportunities for their children.
Because of the Second World War, many were rendered stateless, as they were unable to acquire Japanese nationality. After the chaos in the said region, Sakai played a vital role and greatly contributed by assisting in the collection of materials for the said individuals to obtain their Japanese citizenship.