20 February 2023
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing presented 2023 Diamond Jubilee Independence Day commemorative titles and badges to the persons who made brilliant efforts for national development, peace and prosperity at the ceremony successfully held on 1 and 2 January. The Senior General had already conferred titles on individual recipients in person.
The relevant chief ministers of regions and states conferred titles on recipients who could not attend the ceremony in person or through a representative for various reasons at their homes.
Honorary titles and insignias were also presented at the parlour of Bayintnaung Villa here today. Present were Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min AungHlaing and officials and Japan-Myanmar Friendship Association Chairman H.E. Mr. HIDEO WATANABEand officials.
First, Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut read out the orders in connection with the titles. Then the Senior General presented Thiri Pyanchi Title and insignia to Mr. HIDEO WATANABE for his energetic efforts for national development, peace and prosperity.
Thray Sithu Title and insignia conferred on former Prime Minister Mr. Taro Asofor his brilliant contribution to peace, prosperity and progress of Myanmar was accepted by Mr. HIDEO WATANABE on behalf of the former Japanese PM.
In his speech delivered in honour of the title recipients, the Senior General said Your Excellency, the Chairman of Japan-Myanmar Friendship Association, is a good friend who has striven for Myanmar’s development and friendship between the two countries for many years. It is a pleasure to confer Thiri Pyanchi Title on Mr. HIDEO WATANABE as he has exerted all-out efforts for progress of friendship between the two countries and the two armed forces and development of Myanmar and to facilitate the flow of Japanese investment into Myanmar. The efforts of Your Excellency have strengthened government-to-government, people-to-people and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. It is believed that continued endeavours of Your Excellency will ensure further progress. As history is inerasable, and will remain forever, a good history must be written by both sides. We share with Your Excellency and your family and country the pleasure of winning the title.
Mr. HIDEO WATANABE spoke words of thanks, expressing pleasure to receive the title. In honour of the title, he pledged continued efforts for further enhancing friendship between the two countries. He expressed thanks for the title conferred on the former PM. Mr. HIDEO WATANABE said although the former PM wished to accept the title in person, the election in Japan prevented him from doing so. The former PM conveyed a message of thanks to the Senior General. The Japanese aid programs continue, while past Japanese assistance to Myanmar is being reviewed. He pledged lifelong efforts for development of Myanmar and the stand of Tatmadaw.
After the ceremony, the Senior General, the Japan-Myanmar Association chairman and attendees posed for group photo and exchanged cordial greetings.
