Ceremony to present Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to H.E. Mr. Jens STOLTENBERG, former NATO Secretary General and current Minister of Finance of Norway
2025/12/12
Ambassador Of Japan to Norway, H.E. Mr. Akira SUGIYAMA and H.E. Mr. Jens STOLTENBERG
On December 12th, Ambassador of Japan to Norway, H.E. Mr. SUGIYAMA Akira held a ceremony at his residence to present Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (the highest order conferred by Japan to foreign nationals) to H.E. Mr. Jens STOLTENBERG, former NATO Secretary General and current Minister of Finance of Norway, for his contribution to strengthening relations between Japan and NATO as well as reinforcing friendly relations between Japan and Norway.
During his tenure as NATO Secretary General, H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening NATO’s relations with Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners (IP4) and made a significant contribution to advancing relations between Japan and NATO, including inviting the Japanese Prime Minister to NATO summits for three consecutive years since 2022. In 2023, Japan and NATO agreed upon the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) between Japan and NATO, identifying 16 areas of cooperation. Moreover, in July last year, NATO and IP4 launched flagship projects in the following four areas: (1) support to Ukraine, (2) Cyber Defence, (3) countering disinformation, and (4) Technology, and concrete cooperation in these areas is in progress.
The establishment of cooperative relations between NATO and IP4 including Japan, was the fruit of his strong conviction, and all these achievements were brought about by the strong initiative and tireless efforts of former Secretary General STOLTENBERG.
Furthermore, with regard to Japan-Norway relations, H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG dispatched key cabinet ministers to Japan during his tenure as Prime Minister, contributing to tightening bonds with Japan in the political, economic and scientific fields. The concrete outcomes included the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of maritime technology and industry in May 2011. When Prime Minister STOLTENBERG visited Japan in November 2012, Japan and Norway agreed to introduce a working holiday scheme to promote youth exchange. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he immediately extended support to Japan.
On the occasion of this conferment ceremony, the Embassy of Japan in Norway and the Permanent Representation of Japan to NATO would like to once again express their congratulations and respect for the remarkable achievements of H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG, former NATO Secretary General and Minister of Finance of Norway. We hope that Mr. STOLTENBERG will continue to contribute to strengthening relations between Japan and NATO as well as between Japan and Norway.
Speech by Ambassador SUGIYAMA (PDF)
During his tenure as NATO Secretary General, H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening NATO’s relations with Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners (IP4) and made a significant contribution to advancing relations between Japan and NATO, including inviting the Japanese Prime Minister to NATO summits for three consecutive years since 2022. In 2023, Japan and NATO agreed upon the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) between Japan and NATO, identifying 16 areas of cooperation. Moreover, in July last year, NATO and IP4 launched flagship projects in the following four areas: (1) support to Ukraine, (2) Cyber Defence, (3) countering disinformation, and (4) Technology, and concrete cooperation in these areas is in progress.
The establishment of cooperative relations between NATO and IP4 including Japan, was the fruit of his strong conviction, and all these achievements were brought about by the strong initiative and tireless efforts of former Secretary General STOLTENBERG.
Furthermore, with regard to Japan-Norway relations, H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG dispatched key cabinet ministers to Japan during his tenure as Prime Minister, contributing to tightening bonds with Japan in the political, economic and scientific fields. The concrete outcomes included the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of maritime technology and industry in May 2011. When Prime Minister STOLTENBERG visited Japan in November 2012, Japan and Norway agreed to introduce a working holiday scheme to promote youth exchange. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, he immediately extended support to Japan.
On the occasion of this conferment ceremony, the Embassy of Japan in Norway and the Permanent Representation of Japan to NATO would like to once again express their congratulations and respect for the remarkable achievements of H.E. Mr. STOLTENBERG, former NATO Secretary General and Minister of Finance of Norway. We hope that Mr. STOLTENBERG will continue to contribute to strengthening relations between Japan and NATO as well as between Japan and Norway.
Speech by Ambassador SUGIYAMA (PDF)