News Release 09-092
NSF Director Arden Bement Awarded Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
May 8, 2009
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Today in Tokyo, the government of Japan awarded Arden L. Bement, Jr., director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, its second-highest-ranked award available to foreigners. He received this honor for his meritorious contribution to promoting cooperation and understanding between the United States and Japan in the science and technology field.
"I would like to extend my wholehearted congratulations on the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star upon Dr. Arden Bement," said Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese ambassador to the United States. "Dr. Bement has been a true partner to us in promoting the cooperation between the United States and Japan in the science and technology field, and the conferment of this prestigious award highlights his tremendous contribution. I am personally delighted to hear of the wonderful news and sincerely hope he will continue to enjoy great success."
Japanese Government Orders are awarded twice a year, and foreign recipients are selected from those who have made outstanding contributions to building good relationships with Japan. There are different levels of Orders (noted below).
Bement is the only American among 11 foreign citizens and 53 Japanese citizens in the April 29, 2009, class of recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. He is also the first NSF director to be honored with the order. (Rita Colwell received the order in fall of 2005 after leaving the post of NSF director.)
Bement and other recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star attended an award ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The Order was presented by Prime Minister Taro Aso, followed by an audience with the Emperor.
| Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum | |
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers |
*To simplify, several Order of the Rising Sun distinctions that fall below these have been omitted from this list.
-NSF-
-
NSF Director Arden L. Bement, Jr.
Credit and Larger Version
Media Contacts
Lisa-Joy Zgorski, NSF, (703) 292-8311, email: lisajoy@nsf.gov
Program Contacts
Anne Emig, NSF, (703) 292-7241, email: aemig@nsf.gov
Machi F. Dilworth, NSF, 9-011-81-3-3224-5505, email: mdilwort@nsf.gov
Related Websites
Order of the Rising Sun, Official Japanese website: http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/english/kyoku.html
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/
Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov