The Government of Japan has announced the decision to confer upon Dr. Hans Blix, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
The Government of Japan recognizes in this way Dr. Blix's many years of invaluable contribution to the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in Japan as well as the rest of the world. As Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto stated in his message to the 41st Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference in September, "we cannot applaud Dr. Blix enough for his dedication and leadership over the past 16 years. As Japan promotes nuclear policy, including the nuclear fuel cycle, it has been extremely encouraging that Dr. Blix has led the Agency with the firm belief in the importance of the utilizatiion of nuclear energy."
The decoration is intended also to reflect Japan's deep appreciation for the role that the Agency itself plays in its major undertakings - the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy and prevention of nuclear proliferation. Throughout Japan's progress in the development and utilization of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, Japan itself has always worked in tandem with the Agency. The presentation of this honour further attests to the maintenance of close co-operation between Japan and the Agency.
The decoration will be presented to Dr. Blix at the end of this month.