Past-President of the Australia Japan Association of South Australia (AJASA), Jim Stewart, was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, on 25 March in Adelaide by the Consul-General of Japan, Junji Shimada.
Jim has devoted a significant part of his life to progressing the grass-roots relationship between Australia and Japan through his teaching career and by serving as President of the AJASA for 15 years.
Consul-General Shimada personally transported the medal in his hand luggage from Japan when he undertook the posting in January. In a speech to the gathering of family and friends, the Consul-General outlined a list of Jim’s contributions to the relationship. In accepting the honour, Jim humbly gave thanks to those around him who have enabled and encouraged him.