His Majesty the Emperor of Japan honored Mr. Khder Kareem, Vice President of Mayors for Peace and the former Mayor of Halabja with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette

On 18 March 2021, Japan’s Ambassador to Iraq Suzuki Kotaro delivered the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette to Mr. Khder Kareem, Vice President of Mayors for Peace and the former Mayor of Halabja which was conferred upon him by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan in 2020. The decoration was conferred upon him as the expression of the sincerest appreciation to Mr. Khder Kareem for his outstanding contribution in promoting bilateral friendship between Japan and Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and strengthening relations between Japan and Iraq, particularly in the field of peace movement among the cities of Halabja, Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan. Ambassador Suzuki said during the conferment ceremony held in Erbil on 18 March “Mr. Khder Kareem will be remembered not only by the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but also by the people of Japan as among our best friends in Iraq.” He also added “I hope that his activities and friendship with the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will help bring about peace in the world.”