Decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun upon Professor Alan Spence by the Government of Japan

Press Release, 29th April 2018

Decoration of the Order of the Rising Sun upon Professor Alan Spence by the Government of Japan

On 29th April, the Government of Japan announced that Professor Emeritus Alan Spence of the University of Aberdeen would be awarded an Order of the Rising Sun.
 

Professor Spence introduced Japanese sensibilities, including those of seasonality, through his work of haiku and lectures at universities, thereby contributing to the promotion of haiku in Scotland. He has published a number of haiku collections in English and was appointed Edinburgh Makar in 2017.
 

Through his writing, Professor Spence also contributed to the promotion of understanding of Japanese culture, history and society in Europe, by widely introducing the human and intellectual exchanges which took place between Japan and Scotland/the UK in the 19th century.
 

The Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh pays homage to Professor Spence’s significant efforts over a long period of time and congratulates him on this commendation. The Consulate hopes for the further strengthening of the relations between Japan and Scotland/the UK based on the bond of goodwill established by the Professor’s work.

 

For enquiries, provision of photographs and interview requests related to this matter, please contact the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh.
(Phone: 0131-225-4777, Fax: 0131-225-4828, info@ed.mofa.go.jp）