MASAJURO SHIOKAWA

THE PHILIPPINES-JAPAN SOCIETY

By unanimous resolution of its Board of Directors
Proudly confers upon

MASAJURO SHIOKAWA

Its

MEDAL OF MERIT

for Outstanding Achievement in the Promotion
of
Philippines- Japan Relations

Born on October 13, 1921, MASAJURO SHIOKAWA graduated from Faculty of Economics, Keio University in 1944. He was elected member of the House of Representatives for eleven (11) times since 1967. He served as Parliamentary Vice Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in December 1972, as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary in December 1976 and later on, as Chief Cabinet Secretary in June 1989. MR. SHIOKAWA occupied Ministerial positions in different offices such as Minister of Transport in July 1980, as Minister of Education in September 1986, Minister of Home Affairs in November 1991 and Minister of Finance in April 2001 until September 2003. MINISTER SHIOKAWA rose steadily in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in which he served in various capacities from Secretary-General and later as its Chairman at the LDP General Assembly of Members of the House of Representatives in June 2000. At present, he serves as the President of Toyo University starting this January 2004.

During the organization of the Philippine Institute of Japanese Language and Culture (PIJLC) in 1992 – with the main purpose of providing Filipinos with full-time, intensive preparatory course in the Japanese Language specifically designed to provide the proficiency needed to qualify for admission into Japanese schools and universities, MINISTER SHIOKAWA was instrumental in having the Japan Foundation dispatch its first Japanese Language Expert to handle the Japanese Language Program at PIJLC which to date, is considered as the premier Japanese Language School in the Philippines.

Moreover, MINISTER SHIOKAWA as a close associate of the late Former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, was actively involved in the activities of the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA) since its inception in 1977 and participated in various meetings as ASCOJA’s counterpart, the then Japan Solidarity Committee for Asian Alumni (JASCAA) now named as ASJA International. In recognition of his illustrious political career, his dedication, service and noteworthy contributions in the promotions of closer relations between Japan and ASEAN, Mr. MASAJURO SHIOKAWA, at the 10th ASCOJA Conference held in Kuala Lumpur on May 1, 1993 was presented the ASCOJA Award.

Acknowledging with deep gratitude the praiseworthy efforts of the HONORABLE MASAJURO SHIOKAWA in the promotion of greater understanding and friendship between the Philippines and Japan, the Philippines-Japan Society wholeheartedly presents to him this MEDAL of MERIT – the highest within the mandate of the Society.

Given this 27th day of February in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Four in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines on the occasion of the 26th Philippines- Japan Friendship Celebration, and the 32nd Year of the Philippines-Japan Society.

FRANCIS C. LAUREL
President

Attest:

BENJAMIN C. LAUREL
Corporate Secretary