Japan to honour two former Omani ambassadors

Muscat: Two Omani diplomats will be honoured by the Government of Japan on Thursday at a ceremony to be held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
“The Government of Japan announced on May 21, 2019 the conferment of the ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Golden & Silver Star’ on Mohammed bin Yousuf Al Zarafi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) for Administrative and Financial Affairs and Ambassador Khalid bin Hashil bin Mohammed Al Muslahi, Chief of the Secretary General Office Department, MoFA in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the developments of friendly relations between Japan and the Sultanate of Oman,” the Embassy of Japan in Oman said in a press statement.
Mohammed Al Zarafi and Khalid Al Muslahi are former Ambassadors of the Sultanate of Oman to Japan. Zarafi served as Ambassador to Japan for seven years from 2000 to 2007 and Al Muslahi served as Ambassador for 10 years from 2008 to 2018.
During their tenures in Japan, both of the career diplomats have contributed to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Oman and the enhancement of bilateral relations in various fields. They also contributed to the high-level visits and exchanges between the two countries.
Mohammed Al Zarafi and Khalid Al Muslahi will get an opportunity, along with other recipients of the Order, to have an audience with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito of Japan.
The Order of the Rising Sun was first introduced in 1875. It is the first ever order to be conferred by the Government of Japan.
It is one of the prestigious Japanese decorations that has been granted to non-Japanese nationals since 1981.