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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
May 1, 2026 | 10:33am
Former Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima (L) and former Senate President Koko Pimentel were awarded Order of the Rising Sun awards by the Japanese government for contirbuting to ties between Manila and Tokyo.
Bank of the Philippine Islands website; Senate media
MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government has conferred two of its highest honors on former Senate President Koko Pimentel III and former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima for their roles in strengthening ties between Tokyo and Manila.
Pimentel received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, while Purisima was given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. The conferments were announced on Thursday, April 29, as part of Japan's 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya congratulated Pimentel and Purisima on social media.
My heartfelt congratulations to Hon. Cesar V. Purisima for being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star. ???? Your pivotal role in economic policy has fostered a new era in our #BilateralCooperation, encouraging expanded trade and investment between ????????????????. pic.twitter.com/PeVigi3Ffu
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) April 29, 2026Congratulations to Hon. Aquilino Martin dela Llana Pimentel III, who has been honored with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun! ???? Your leadership in advancing ???????????????? bilateral ties has opened new pathways to stronger and more enduring #StrategicPartnership. ???? pic.twitter.com/oo2DohipZZ
— Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines (@AmbJPNinPH) April 29, 2026Senate moves, a rare visit
Pimentel, who served as Senate president from 2016 to 2018, was recognized for pushing for the passage of the Japan-Philippines Social Security Agreement in the Senate. This was a pact meant to ease the movement of workers and professionals between the two countries.
He also helped arrange the visit of the president of Japan's House of Councillors to the Philippines, described by the Japanese embassy as the only such visit by a sitting upper house leader. After former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned, Pimentel filed a Senate resolution commending Abe's efforts on Japan-Philippines relations. It passed with every senator signing on as co-sponsor.
Opening the financial gates
Purisima's recognition from the Japanese government spans two Cabinet stints. As finance secretary from 2010 to 2016, he led the amendment of foreign bank liberalization laws, which cleared the way for Japanese banks to enter the Philippine market.
Earlier, as trade and industry secretary from 2003 to 2005, he secured the foundational agreement for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) — the Philippines' first bilateral EPA — which led to the expansion of trade and investment flows between the two economies.
The Order of the Rising Sun is among Japan's most prestigious national honors. It is awarded to individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the country's relations with foreign nations. Japan confers decorations on foreign nationals every spring and autumn.
