By Bridgette Komatep – EM TV, Port Moresby
The East Sepik Provincial Governor, and PNG’s first prime minister, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, has been awarded Japan’s highest Honour, the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun.
In a statement, Sir Michael said he will travel to Japan this week to receive the honour, dedicating it to the people of East Sepik and Papua New Guinea for having faith in his leadership.
Sir Michael’s ties with the Japanese people began when he was 10 years old in his village of Karau, in East Sepik Province during World War 2.
As the founding father of the nation and the first prime minister, Sir Michael established diplomatic relations with Japan.
The relationship continued into the future with Japan becoming the foundation customer and trading partner for the PNG LNG gas import.
He commended the government of Japan for the highest honour which will be conferred upon him by His imperial Majesty , the Emperor of Japan, this Friday, May 8.
