Japan confers ‘imperial honor’ to PH Senator Franklin Drilon

Japan government has conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon, the highest recognition given by Japan to foreign nationals.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon and Mme. Milagros Drilon with the officers of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo led by Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio. Image and Caption from http://tokyo.philembassy.net/

The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun was given to Drilon due to his exemplary contributions to promoting friendly relations between Japan and the Philippines. The honor was bestowed upon Drilon by His Majesty Emperor Akihito in an Autumn Conferment Ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. This award is a testament to Japan and the Philippine’s strong relation that is rooted on mutual understanding, respect and cooperation,” said Drilon as quoted in the article.

Five other awardees were given the prestigious recognition including former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, former ROK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Han Sung-joo, and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya of the Sri Lankan parliament as reported in the news released by the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Tokyo.

The Order of the Rising Sun was established in April 1875 which was Japan’s “first official decoration and its creation marked the institution of Japan’s honors system. This recognition is given to foreign nationals who had contributed to Japan’s relation with other countries. It is awarded in six ranks, with the Grand Cordon as the highest.

Source:

Tokyo PhilEmbassy, Embassy of Japan to the Philippines