Former PM Manmohan Singh receives Japan's top national award

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday was awarded "Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers", one of Japan's highest awards from Japanese Emperor Akihito, as part of a bi-annual decoration ceremony.

He received the highest possible award in the Orders of the Rising Sun for his significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and promotion of friendship between Japan and India for about 35 years. It was first awarded in 1888 and is only topped by the Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum.

More than 4,000 people received an award during this session for their contributions to cultural development or the public good.