Japan Emperor Confers Decorations on 26 People in Spring Honors

May 8, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Emperor Akihito on Tuesday conferred decorations on 26 recipients, including three foreigners, in this year's spring honors.

The ceremony, held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, was the Emperor's last spring honors event before his abdication slated for April 30 next year.

Recipients attending the event included Masahiko Komura, vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Tadateru Konoe, president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and Takeshi Sasaki, former president of the University of Tokyo.

Komura, 76, and Konoe, 79, were both awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Sasaki, 75, was given the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

"I am deeply grateful for your hard work over many years to serve the country, society and the people," Emperor Akihito told the participants. Jiji Press