James Kon
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor bin Haji Jeludin was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star by the Japanese government on November 3, in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Brunei Darussalam and Japan.
Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Eiji Yamamoto awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor during a conferment ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam yesterday, in the presence of Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor’s spouse and family members.
“I am honoured and sincerely grateful to His Majesty Emperor Naruhito and the Government of Japan for being conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, in recognition of my contribution as a diplomat working at the Brunei Embassy in Tokyo, Japan, as well as at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor said.
“This award may have been presented to me, but in reality I am accepting it on behalf of the government and people of Brunei Darussalam. I believe it is the contribution of the Brunei Government and its people that has allowed the bilateral relations between both countries to become stronger. I also believe that this recognition will further strengthen ties between both sides. “Japan has a special place in my heart. After Brunei gained its independence, I was given the opportunity to study Japanese language in Japan for over a year. It was a time before Brunei had an embassy in Tokyo, where I had a chance to be at Mitsubishi Corporation. I was recognised in 1984 as a temporary ambassador, with Mitsubishi Corporation looking after all Brunei officers and students in Japan.”
He was appointed Brunei Ambassador to Japan from 2003 to 2005, after completing his tenure in several countries.
Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor said, “In those years, I was able to steep in Japanese culture. I also love Japanese food and traditions, as well as the people’s warmth.”
During his posting, Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Nor was involved in high-level events including His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s visit to Japan in December 2003 and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito’s (currently the Emperor of Japan) visit to the Sultanate to attend the 2004 wedding of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 as Japan’s first decoration, and is a prestigious order that honours the people of Japan and abroad for their outstanding achievements.
