Japan’s Imperial House honors Rector Michael Hoch

Rector Professor Michael Hoch has now been given the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays" of Japan’s Imperial House in recognition of his contribution to academic exchange and Japanese-German understanding. The order, which is one of the highest awarded in Japan for services to civil society, was presented by the country’s Consul-General Setsuko Kawahara on behalf of the Tenno and the Prime Minister of Japan at a ceremony held at her official residence in Düsseldorf.

Professor Hoch has led the University of Bonn as its Rector since 2015. A statement issued by the Consulate-General highlighted the significant contribution that he has made over many years to establishing academic relations and exchange programs with Japanese universities such as Waseda University, the University of Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba. In so doing, the statement continued, he has done much to further the cause not only of academic dialogue but also of mutual understanding between Japan and Germany.

The Rector was accompanied by members of the Rectorate, other representatives of the University of Bonn and non-university partners. After the address by Consul General Kawahara, Waldemar Kolanus, who gave a laudatory speech as a long-time companion of the honoree, and Vice Rector Birgit Münch spoke.

As long ago as 2006, Professor Hoch began to build a close partnership in the life sciences between the University of Bonn and Waseda University in Tokyo, which to date has enabled over 400 Japanese and German students and researchers to spend time at each other’s institutions. This unique exchange has been made possible by successfully securing funding from both Japanese and German sources for joint projects.

Professor Hoch’s commitment to German-Japanese exchange and dialogue has also been a feature of his time as Rector. One landmark moment came during a visit to Waseda in 2017, when he signed a strategic partnership agreement that led to another marked increase in joint research and exchange projects and strengthened cooperation between the two universities. Michael Hoch was awarded an honorary doctorate from Waseda back in 2018 for his academic achievements and his work promoting exchange and dialogue. In explaining the decision to award Rector Professor Hoch his order, the Consulate-General also cited the declaration of intent that he signed during his visit to the University of Tokyo in 2022. This related to student exchange and extending a corresponding University-wide agreement with the University of Tsukuba. He also works closely with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Japan Cultural Institute in Cologne, such as for the University’s Japan Day as part of the 2022 International Days, in order to deepen understanding of the country in Germany.

"I’m hugely honored and delighted to receive this award from the Imperial House of Japan," Michael Hoch said. "Strengthening our dialogue with our Japanese partners has always been very important and a strategic goal to me, so I feel greatly humbled that these efforts have been recognized in such a special way with the conferring of this order."

No sooner was the presentation ceremony over than strengthening German-Japanese cooperation was back right at the top of Professor Hoch’s agenda: the Rector of the University of Bonn has just arrived on a ten-day visit to Japan, where he will be meeting with some of the University of Excellence’s strategic partners and leading figures from Japanese universities and institutions.

The Order of the Rising Sun was created in 1875 as the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government. The badge features rays of light emanating from the rising sun suspended from three enameled paulownia leaves and flowers.