The residence of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan in Uzbekistan has hosted the ceremony of awarding the Imperial Order of Ms Reiko Sugano who worked as an assistant professor at the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies for 26 years.
Ms. Sugano was conferred the Order for her contribution to the study of the Japanese language in Uzbekistan.
At the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Nobuaki Ito noted the positive trends in the advancement of bilateral cooperation between the two states.
“During her time in Tashkent, Ms. Sugano became a true friend of Uzbekistan”, said the head of the Foreign Ministry’s department for cooperation with the Asian-Pacific Region Countries Abror Fatkhullayev. “She made a great contribution to the teaching of the Japanese language among the students of our country, as well as to the development of interuniversity cooperation.”
The well-known teacher has been already awarded the diploma of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 2011 which was a recognition of her professional achievements.
In a speech of gratitude Reiko Sugano herself said that at the beginning of her teaching activity in 1991 she had to start from nothing, since there were not any teaching aids for studying the Japanese language and necessary materials.
“Working with my students, I tried as much as possible to give the knowledge and information not only about the Japanese language, but also about Japan, its history, culture and traditions”, the teacher said. “I am very grateful to them for the warmth in the relationship that they give me, and interest in the studying language”.
Reiko Sugano was recognized as a public figure whose efforts have largely created the basis for teaching the Japanese language in Uzbekistan. She also pushed forward an initiative to organize seminars on the preparation of Japanese language teachers from domestic personnel and draw up locally adapted teaching materials.
