Japan confers Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on ex-Foreign Affairs chief Del Rosario

© Provided by The Manila Times Former Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario delivers Ateneo’s Ambassador Rodolfo Severino Jr. lecture of the Ateneo de Manila University. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

JAPANESE Emperor Naruhito on Wednesday conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario for being instrumental in building Japan-Philippines bilateral ties.

Del Rosario's office said the retired ambassador was conferred the highest honor "for his significant contributions in ensuring the safety of ships in the waters around the Philippines and strengthening maritime security relations between both nations."

In his message, del Rosario thanked the Emperor for the highest honor given to him. He shared the award with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Apart from del Rosario and former Agriculture Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd, former Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade and David Carter received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star while lawyer Josue Sim Zuniega received the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.

The invitation for the Imperial Conferment of Decoration was conveyed through a letter addressed to del Rosario by Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Oct. 25, 2022.