It is a great honour for me, as Norway’s Ambassador to Japan and on behalf of H.M. King Harald of Norway, to bestow upon Mr. Yohei Sasakawa the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Commander Class.
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit was founded by our present King’s father, King Olav V, in 1985. A year after the establishment of the Scandinavian – Japan Sasakawa Foundation. It is conferred upon foreign and Norwegian nationals as a reward for their outstanding service in the interest of Norway. H.M. the King is the Grand Master of the Order.
Mr. Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and Board Member of the Scandinavian - Japan Sasakawa Foundation, is, indeed, a most deserving recipient of the Order. Norway is very appreciate of the generous donations granted by the Scandinavia-Japan Sasakawa Foundation over many years, more than a quarter of a Century, directly to institutions such Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim and the University of Oslo, donations in support of the many projects, more than a thousand in number, promoting Norwegian research, especially in the fields of science, technology and culture. Mr. Sasakawa has made a considerable contribution to cementing and further developing the excellent relations between our countries and people.
Funds from the Foundation have made a positive and encouraging difference in the lives many Norwegians. We have one such person with us on this luncheon occasion. Mr. Håkon Kristensen, now Commerical Counsellor at the Embassy and Head of Innovation Norway is one such person. He received fifteen years ago financial support JPY 280 000 to come to Japan to gain language proficiency in Japanese and acquaintance with your country as an important add-on to his training as an economist at the Norwegian School of Business Administration. In life one thing usually leads another. It comes as no surprise to me that Kristensen-san has also become a son-in-law of Japan by marrying a Japanese lady.
The activities of Mr Sasakawa and the Foundation extend beyond my country. Over the course of the last year, also the other Nordic Countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden – have acknowledged Mr Sasakawa’s service in the interests of their countries by conferring upon him corresponding decorations. And Mr. Sasakawa’s activities extend beyond the Nordic countries to Africa and elsewhere. He is World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for the elimination of Leprosy.
Therefore Dear Mr. Sasakawa, I should say from one Ambassador to another, it is my honour and great pleasure to bestow upon you the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Commander Class.
Congratulations! Kampai!