Japan confers prestigious decoration on

Mr. Antoine Ghorayeb, President of "LEBAJICA",

Japan International Cooperation Agency Alumni Cultural Cooperative in Lebanon

(24 November 2010)

On 3 November 2010, with the approval of His Majesty the Emperor, the Government of Japan announced the conferment of prestigious decoration, “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (Ordre du Soleil Levant, Rayons d'Or et d'Argent)” on Mr. Antoine Ghorayeb, President of “LEBAJICA”, Japan International Cooperation Agency Alumni Cultural Cooperative in Lebanon. On 24 November 2010, H.E. Mr. Koichi Kawakami, Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon, presented at his Residence the decoration and the patent of decoration to Mr. Antoine Ghorayeb.

Mr. Antoine Ghorayeb has made remarkable contributions to promote friendly relations between Japan and Lebanon, and deepen the understanding of Japan among Lebanese citizens. He established LEBAJICA in 1998 and was elected as its first President. Since then, for more than 10 years, he has been playing highly important role to develop LEBAJICA to be the most active JICA alumni association in the Middle East. Furthermore, he has contributed to the understanding of Japan’s economic and social development projects in Lebanon as well as the cultural exchange between Japan and Lebanon.

“The Order of the Rising Sun (l’Ordre du Soleil Levant)” is conferred to individuals of different nationalities who have made distinguished contributions to Japan in recognition of their accomplishment.

 JICA, established in 1974 by the Government of Japan, has been assisting nations of the world through offering various measures of Official Development Assistance.

LEBAJICA has currently more than 70 members who participated in technical training programmes in Japan.