The embassy of Papua New Guinea held a reception to celebrate former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare receiving an honorary award from Japan; the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, at the Hotel New Otani Tokyo on May 7.
The reception was attended by Papua New Guinean and Japanese politicians, business executives and others contributing to the nations' bilateral friendship.
Somare was the prime minister upon the foundation of Papua New Guinea in 1975 after 70 years of Australian administration, serving in office until 1980. He was a key figure in the preparations for the subsequent independence and the preparation and adoption of the constitution.
He again held the office from 1982 to 1985, and from 2002 to 2011.
Born in Rabaul, Somare grew up in his family village of Karau. His earliest education was in a Japanese-run primary school at Karau during World War II where he learned to read, write and count in Japanese.
He has received honorary doctorate degrees from universities in various countries, including the University of Tokyo.