Outgoing Japanese ambassador awarded Medal of Merit for Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský on Wednesday presented the Medal of Merit for Diplomacy to the outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Czechia, Hideo Suzuki. In his speech, Lipavský praised the ambassador's active engagement and his role in strengthening Czech-Japanese relations. Mr. Lipavský, who visited Japan last week, described bilateral relations between the two countries as excellent.

Mr. Suzuki, who has been ambassador to Czechia since September 2020, is to be replaced by career diplomat Kansuke Nagaoka.

The Medal of Merit for Diplomacy has been awarded since 2019 for  long-term contribution to Czech diplomacy, foreign policy and for extraordinary merits in the development of international relations between Czechia and other states or international organizations.