Embassy of Japan
Press Release
April 29, 2018
2018 Spring Conferment of Decoration
Ambassador William J. Burns
On April 29, 2018 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2018 Spring Imperial Decorations. Ambassador William J. Burns is among this year’s foreign recipients and, in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship and friendship between Japan and the United States of America, he will receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
- DECORATION: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
- SERVICE: Strengthening the relationship and promoting friendship between Japan and the United States of America
- NAME: William J. Burns
- MAJOR TITLES:
- Former Deputy Secretary of State
- President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): Washington, D.C. (USA)
SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS
Ambassador Burns worked as the Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014 and made significant contributions to further deepening and strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. In this capacity, he played an indispensable role in policy coordination between the two countries on issues ranging from security in Asia-Pacific to global challenges such as the Middle East, stabilization of Afghanistan, and climate change.
Furthermore, after he retired as Deputy Secretary of State, Ambassador Burns assumed a position as President of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In this capacity, Ambassador Burns has been actively advocating the importance of the Japan-U.S. bilateral relationship and the alliance.
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