Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Violet Cordon Thursday on Shuzo Ishikawa, a former senior advisor to Japan's Dentsu Inc., in recognition of his remarkable contributions to technical exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
Chen said he was very pleased to award the medal to Ishikawa at the Presidential Office on behalf of the Republic of China government in appreciation for his strong support for Taiwan over the years.
Ishikawa, who also served in many key posts at the International Advertising Association (IAA) and the Asian Federation of Advertising Agencies (AFAA), helped a great deal with Taiwan's re-entry into the AFAA and its hosting of an annual conference after the island was forced out of the organization in 1977 by mainland China, Chen said.
The president also praised Ishikawa as the best proof of Taiwan's pursuit of democratization and freedom, saying that the advertising business is just like the Taiwan people's desire for freedom, which must take root and make progress in a democratic society.
He voiced his hope that Ishikawa will continue working to further step up bilateral ties between the two countries.
For his part, Ishikawa said he was deeply honored to receive the medal.
Stating that he believes in "integrity" as his motto, Ishikawa said he follows that path in both his private and professional life.
Ishikawa attributed the international status achieved by Taiwan's advertising industry to the diligence and endurance of the people working in the sector and he also expressed admiration for the efforts made by Hu Jong, president of the Taipei Association of Advertising Agencies.
As to his becoming the first-ever recipient of the Order of Brilliant Star with Violet Grand Cordon in the advertising industry, Ishikawa said it is not just an honor for himself but it also represents a jubilant occasion for all advertising companies, both in Taiwan and the rest of the world.