Established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, the Order of the Rising Sun is a decoration of honour presented annually in April to recognize Japanese and foreign individuals who have made significant contributions to Japan's development and progress, according to the Japan Foundation’s website. 

The Order has six classes and honours achievements in various areas, including the promotion of culture and international relations, the website explains.

Below, Ahram Online sheds light on the four Egyptians honoured in 2023 for their distinguished endeavors for Japan:

Amr Moussa, Egypt’s former minister of foreign affairs and former secretary-general of the Arab League

Moussa received Japan's highest honor, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, for playing a significant role in promoting Egyptian-Japanese cooperation projects, including the Suez Canal suspension bridge, the renovation of Cairo University's Children's Hospital and the provision of medical equipment to enhance maternal and child healthcare in Egypt. 

Additionally, during his tenure as secretary-general of the Arab League, Moussa established the Japan-Arab Economic Forum, laying the groundwork for expanding economic ties between Japan and Arab nations. 

Mona Ahmed, former first undersecretary and head of Asian affairs sector at the Ministry of International Cooperation

Mona was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for her significant role in achieving more than 17 projects between the Japanese and Egyptian governments and international organizations in various fields, such as irrigation, airports, energy, health, environment, electricity, education, culture and others.

She also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Egyptian-Japanese University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) for nine years (2013-2021).

Moreover, Mona was a member of the board of directors of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and contributed to educational cooperation between Japan and Egypt and the establishment of the GEM museum project. 

Fareg Barakat El-Sayed, public relations director and Arabic language teacher at the Japanese School in Abu Dhabi

Farag Barakt has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays. for delivering Arabic language education and introducing the culture of the United Arab Emirates to approximately 2,300 Japanese children who have attended the Japanese School in Abu Dhabi.

Moreover, he worked to enhance the understanding of Japanese culture and customs for around 130 Emirati children, contributing to the development of human resources with a rich international perspective.

Tarek El-Sayed Mohamed, head of the Urasenke Tankokai Association in Egypt 

Tarek received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold, and Silver Rays for his contributions to promoting Japanese culture, particularly the art of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Japan has been granting this order to many distinguished Egyptians over the past years. Last year, former Minister of Tourism and Antiques Zahi Hawass was granted the Japanese Rising Sun Order, Gold, and Silver Star, and in 2021, Egypt’s former permanent observer of the Arab League to the UN Maged Abdel-Fattah was honoured with the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.