Former OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston to be awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun

03/11/2006 - The government of Japan is to award former OECD Secretary-General Donald Johnston the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest-ranked Japanese decoration conferred on foreigners.  Mr Johnston will receive the decoration from Emperor Akihito of Japan at a ceremony on 7 November 2006 at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

The Japanese government said the decision demonstrates its acknowledgement of Mr. Johnston’s significant contributions to strengthening the ties between Japan and the OECD during his tenure. 

Mr Johnston, who served as a Canadian government minister in a number of portfolios during the 1980s, was Secretary-General of the OECD from June 1996 until May 2006. He was succeeded by Angel Gurría.

Japan has been a member of the OECD since 1964. The organisation now counts 30 member countries.

Further information about Donald Johnston and the OECD can be found at the OECD website: www.oecd.org. For further details about the award, journalists are invited to contact the Japanese delegation to the OECD (Ms. Yasuko NISHIMURA: + 33 1 53 76 61 00).