Presentation Ceremony of Spring Conferment of Decoration and Commendation by Japanese Foreign Minister
2025/12/5
On 5th December, Embassy of Japan in Solomon held a Ceremony of Spring Conferment of Decoration and Commendation by Japanese Foreign Minister, and Ambassador Higuchi awarded “the 2025 Spring Conferment of Decoration” to Mr Francis Deve and Mr Willie Besi. “the Commendation by Japanese Foreign Minister 2025”to Mr Mato Mui Liliau.
The ceremony was attended by government officials such as the Honorable Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele, Member of Parliament Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior, and Hon. Rick Houenipwela, as well as government officials, resident diplomatic corps, Japanese residents, and media representatives.
Ambassador Higuchi conveyed his heartfelt congratulation to these three Solomon Islanders for all the exceptional contributions that they have made towards building and enhancing a good bilateral relationship between Japan and Solomon Islands. Also, he expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all the people of Solomon Islands who have helped forge and strengthen such bilateral relationship.
The Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele then gave a speech, followed by speeches from the award recipients, and the venue was enveloped in a sense of solidarity, feeling the strong bond between the two countries.
The recipients of these honours are as follows:
●SERVICE : Contributed to promoting youth exchange and friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Francis Deve assisted in the recovery of World War II remains in various parts of the Solomon Islands and through this promoted bilateral relations and mutual understanding between the Solomon Islands and Japan. As a President and member of the Ship for World Youth (SWY) Alumni Association in Solomon Islands, he shared his experiences through his lecture activities, and facilitated homestays by its members for Japanese participants of the SWY programme and Japanese university student researchers. Furthermore, as Vice-President of the National Association of Inbound Tour Operators of Solomon Islands, he contributed to the promotion of tourism exchange between Japan and Solomon Islands and mutual understanding of the history and culture between the two countries through the construction of a Japan-related war memorial, supporting visits by the Japanese nationals for memorial services in Guadalcanal as well as through participating in the Tourism Expo held in Tokyo in 2016.
●SERVICE : Contributed to promoting understanding about Japan in Solomon Islands and friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Willie Besi has interacted with the Solomon Islanders and the remains collection team through the recovery of the remains of World War II war dead in Guadalcanal Province, and has established a private museum housing war-related artifacts, which has contributed to the understanding of the significance of the Battle of Guadalcanal, and ultimately peace, among visitors from the Solomon Islands and abroad.
●SERVICE : Promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Mato Mui Liliaw has supported the recovery of remains of war dead from the World War II in and around Kakabona Village, Guadalcanal Province, Solomon Islands, alongside his grandfather and father since around 1990. Since 2006, he has continued this cooperation and support independently as an individual. In addition to assisting with the recovery of the remains, he maintains memorials established by the All Japan Solomon Association on his property, including those for the 4th and 7th Field Heavy Artillery Regiments. He has been supporting cultural exchanges between Japanese teams who come to recover the remains and Kakabona villagers during the operations. Mr Mato Mui Liliau also contributes towards fostering understanding of Japan.
The ceremony was attended by government officials such as the Honorable Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele, Member of Parliament Hon. Peter Kenilorea Junior, and Hon. Rick Houenipwela, as well as government officials, resident diplomatic corps, Japanese residents, and media representatives.
Ambassador Higuchi conveyed his heartfelt congratulation to these three Solomon Islanders for all the exceptional contributions that they have made towards building and enhancing a good bilateral relationship between Japan and Solomon Islands. Also, he expressed his heartfelt appreciation to all the people of Solomon Islands who have helped forge and strengthen such bilateral relationship.
The Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele then gave a speech, followed by speeches from the award recipients, and the venue was enveloped in a sense of solidarity, feeling the strong bond between the two countries.
The recipients of these honours are as follows:
【Mr Francis Deve】
●DECORATION : The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays●SERVICE : Contributed to promoting youth exchange and friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Francis Deve assisted in the recovery of World War II remains in various parts of the Solomon Islands and through this promoted bilateral relations and mutual understanding between the Solomon Islands and Japan. As a President and member of the Ship for World Youth (SWY) Alumni Association in Solomon Islands, he shared his experiences through his lecture activities, and facilitated homestays by its members for Japanese participants of the SWY programme and Japanese university student researchers. Furthermore, as Vice-President of the National Association of Inbound Tour Operators of Solomon Islands, he contributed to the promotion of tourism exchange between Japan and Solomon Islands and mutual understanding of the history and culture between the two countries through the construction of a Japan-related war memorial, supporting visits by the Japanese nationals for memorial services in Guadalcanal as well as through participating in the Tourism Expo held in Tokyo in 2016.
【Mr Willie Besi】
●DECORATION : The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays●SERVICE : Contributed to promoting understanding about Japan in Solomon Islands and friendship between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Willie Besi has interacted with the Solomon Islanders and the remains collection team through the recovery of the remains of World War II war dead in Guadalcanal Province, and has established a private museum housing war-related artifacts, which has contributed to the understanding of the significance of the Battle of Guadalcanal, and ultimately peace, among visitors from the Solomon Islands and abroad.
【Mr Mato Mui Liliau】
●DECORATION : the Commendation by Japanese Foreign Minister●SERVICE : Promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and Solomon Islands
Mr Mato Mui Liliaw has supported the recovery of remains of war dead from the World War II in and around Kakabona Village, Guadalcanal Province, Solomon Islands, alongside his grandfather and father since around 1990. Since 2006, he has continued this cooperation and support independently as an individual. In addition to assisting with the recovery of the remains, he maintains memorials established by the All Japan Solomon Association on his property, including those for the 4th and 7th Field Heavy Artillery Regiments. He has been supporting cultural exchanges between Japanese teams who come to recover the remains and Kakabona villagers during the operations. Mr Mato Mui Liliau also contributes towards fostering understanding of Japan.
