On Wednesday, parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair František Šebej was the first Slovak ever to receive Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Second Class: Gold and Silver Star. He was granted this state award for his contribution towards deepening mutual understanding between Japan and Slovakia. The Japanese Government highlighted his activities, mainly at the helm of the Japan-Slovakia Parliamentary Friendship Group as well as his long-standing promotion of karate. The special ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Robert Fico. The Order of the Rising Sun is the oldest Japanese order and was established by Emperor Meiji in 1875.
Martina Šimkovičová, Photo: TASR
