The Government of Japan today announced the recipients of the 2023 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
This year, which marks the 50th commemoration of ASEAN-Japan relations, two Bruneians will be decorated in recognition of their contributions to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Japan and Brunei Darussalam.
The Government of Japan has conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Indera Negara Pengiran Anak Haji Puteh ibni Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam.
In 1984, Yang Amat Mulia accompanied to support 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 and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam during their first state visit to Japan after independence.
He was later designated as Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan in 1986.
From 1987 to 1997, he served as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, committing his efforts to deepening both bilateral and multilateral engagements with Japan.
Yang Amat Mulia was also one of many Bruneians who contributed to the promotion of karate in the Sultanate, and has been the honorary president of the Brunei Karate Federation since 2009.
The Government of Japan has also conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof.
Since joining JICA’s Young Leaders Programme in Japan in 1992, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan has consistently played a significant part in the enhancement of Japan-Brunei bilateral relations. In 2006, as Director of the Department of International Trade at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam, he contributed to moving forward negotiations of the Japan-Brunei Bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement.
After his appointment as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam in 2008, he led negotiations of a long-term contract to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan.
In January 2008, he assumed the post of Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and held many key meetings with his counterparts to deepen further exchanges between the two countries.
He also exercised significant leadership on emerging issues when Brunei Darussalam took over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2021.
