VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Japanese government conferred the star of service 2018 awards to two figures in East Java for their contribution as a friendship link for years between Japan and Indonesia, especially East Java and Japan.

The Japanese Consul General in Surabaya, Masaki Tani, through a broadcast in Surabaya on Monday, said that the Japanese Government had announced the recipients of the star of service awards for the Autumn of 2018 period on Nov 3, 2018.

"The two leaders in East Java are Mr. Tetsuro Okano, who has played an important role in the Japanese community in East Java for more than 30 years, and Mr. Ali Indranegara, who has served at the Japanese Consulate General in Surabaya for more than 40 years," he stated.

According to him, Okano had actively participated in various East Java Japan Club (EJJC) activities since he first lived in the city of Surabaya in 1988.

In addition, he was also involved in various activities that emphasized the importance of interaction and harmonization between the Japanese community and the local community in Indonesia, he added.

"He also has played a big role in improving education facilities for Japanese children in Surabaya," he remarked.

In recognition of Okano`s dedication to the welfare of the Japanese community in East Java, he was awarded the star of service "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Ray."

Indranegara is a resident of Surabaya City who served as a local staff at the Japanese Consulate General in Surabaya from 1970 to 1997 and as a legal advisor to the Japanese Consulate General in Surabaya from 1997 to 2017.

Overall, he has supported the duties of the Japanese Consulate General in Surabaya for more than 40 years. In recognition of his contribution and dedication to Japanese diplomatic activities, he was awarded the star of service "The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon."

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) also gave awards to 16 leaders and four organizations in Indonesia. Of the 16 figures, there were three figures in East Java, namely the Deputy Chairperson of Trustees, East Java Japan Club, Joshie Halim, for having been instrumental in designing the construction of the Surabaya Japanese School (SJS) for four years.

In addition, the award was also given to the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Cooperation of Surabaya State University, Prof. Dr. Djodjok Soepardjo. Soepardjo is known as a pioneer in Japanese Language research in East Java that has contributed to disseminating and developing Japanese language education in East Java.

The next award was given to deceased Mrs. Tomiko Oetoro for her services during her life in the East Java Japanese Association (PJJT) or what is now better known as "East Java Japan" Club (EJJC). (ANTARA)