TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japanese government announced the autumnal Service Star 2023 awards granted to three Indonesian nationals on November 3, 2023, citing their contributions to strengthening Indonesia-Japan relations.

The first service star is given to Noer Hassan Wirajuda, former Indonesian Foreign Minister, who received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. Hasan was awarded for his contribution to strengthening both countries' relations for his service while acting as Indonesian Foreign Minister under both Megawati Soekarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administrations.

Hasan was considered successful in bridging visits of high-level officials between both countries and raising the level of cooperation between Japan and Indonesia into a Strategic Partnership.

The second Indonesian national was M. Basuki Hadimuljono, Indonesian Public Works and Public Housing Minister, who was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star for his contribution to boosting Japan and Indonesia's relations in the infrastructure sector.

Minister Basuki contributed to increasing the economic cooperation between both countries regarding the development of basic infrastructures such as road development, and the knowledge transfer given concerning volcanic erosion control in Mount Merapi. The program has made a significant contribution to the development of volcanic disaster prevention since it was implemented by the Japanese government in Sakurajima Island and Mount Unzen Fugen-dake.

The last award was granted to Djodjok Soepardjo, a professor from Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Djodjok received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for his contribution to the education sector.

Djodjok has been a Japanese lecturer at the university since 1983, contributing to the education of many potential Japanese teachers. Djodjok guided young academicians with a passion for the Japanese language and improved the development of Japanese studies in Indonesia.

Djodjok also established the International Multicultural (I'Mc) Center in 2005 which offered Japanese courses. Since 2018, Djodjok has been acting as the Head of the Indonesian Japanese Study Programs Association (ASPBJI), contributing to the dissemination and development of Japanese studies in Indonesia including strengthening the network of Japanese teachers in Indonesia.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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