Italy and Japan praise a long lasting history of cultural and commercial relations over the past centuries, endorsed by tight diplomatic relations celebrated this year on their 150th anniversary with a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
On May 11, 2016 Ambassador Umberto Vattani, President of Venice International University, received the Grand Cordon decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 as Japan's first award, honoured by the Japanese Government; it features rays of sunlight radiating from the rising sun and a pendant flower, and is conferred to a person who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of services and achievements.
President Vattani has assiduously worked in building up strong and fertile relations between the two countries, during his long service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy as Secretary General, and as personal delegate of the Italian Prime Minister during the G7 meetings.
He is President of the Italy-Japan Foundation, that supports important economic initiatives, cultural exchange and artistic activities, personally curated since 2001 by Ambassador Vattani both in Italy and in Japan.
Thanks to Ambassador Vattani’s efforts, Japan has a valuable representative in Venice International University with Waseda University (Tokyo), one of the 16 member universities from all over the world in VIU consortium.
Visit also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation website
Link (Ita): http://www.esteri.it/mae/it/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/giappone-onorificenza-a-umberto.html