Pianist John O'Conor is to be honoured by the Japanese government, writes Patsy McGarry.
He will be given the Order of the Rising Sun, gold rays with neck ribbon, for his contribution to the promotion of friendship between Japan and Ireland through music.
It will be presented to him by Japanese ambassador to Ireland Chihiro Atsumi in Dublin at a date yet to be decided.
Twice a year the Japanese government decorates foreign nationals who it believes have contributed to strengthening relationships between Japan and their countries.
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O’Conor is the third Irish person to be decorated by Japan’s government since 2000.