Staff Reporter 

The Government of Japan conferred former Home Minister Dago Tshering with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, it announced yesterday.

He was one of the foreign recipients of the 2021 Spring Decorations.

Lyonpo Dago Tshering, former Ambassador of Bhutan to Japan, was recognised for his contributions to strengthening the relationship and friendship between Japan and Bhutan, according to a press release from the Japan Embassy in New Delhi, India.

This is the first-ever conferral of the award by the  Government of Japan upon a Bhutanese national.

He served as the Minister of Home Affairs from 1991 to 1998.  During that period, he was also serving as a Commissioner of Cultural Affairs.

He not only provided support in receiving high-level visits from Japan as Minister of Home Affairs, but also played an important role in promoting cultural cooperation between Japan and Bhutan as a  Commissioner of Cultural Affairs, such as supporting Japanese researchers in Bhutanese organisations and promoting the cooperation between National Museum of Ethnology, Japan, and National Museum of Bhutan.

He is also recognised for boosting the high-level visits and cultural exchanges between the two countries during his tenure as the ambassador to Japan between 1999 and 2008. The first visit to Japan by a Bhutanese Prime Minister took place successfully then.

“He also visited various cities in Japan and cultivated relationships with Japan-Bhutan friendship organisations.  His efforts significantly promoted mutual understanding between the two countries.

As it delivers the announcement of his receiving the decoration, the Embassy of Japan in  Bhutan pays tribute to Lyonpo Dago Tshering’s long years of contribution,” the press release stated.