Mrs Midori Inomata, Dr Joop A Stam and spouse with His Excellency Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Japan – Nippon, the land where the sun rises. The Ambassador of Japan in the Netherlands H.E. Hiroshi Inomata hosted a Ceremony of Conferment at his Residence in honour of Dr Joop A. Stam, Professor Emeritus of Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Twente. After warmly welcoming his guests Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata proceeded with the ceremony of Conferment.
Dr Stam received the ‘the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon’ in recognition of his outstanding contribution in developing Japanese studies and promoting a better understanding of Japan in the Netherlands.
Dr Stam commenced his speech of acceptance by thanking His Majesty for elevating him to this high position. Dr Stam stated he wishes to thank all who have been instrumental in making all of this happen. Among them the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan, the Embassy in The Hague and the numerous others.
Stam went on with what he described as a Roots and Wings. His roots are in the northern Province of Friesland. He has a strong sense of right and wrong.
His academical formation at Leiden university gave him wings which enabled him to explore the world.
When Joop Stam arrived in Japan in 1969 he was unknown, however, everybody knew Anton Geesink.
His new understanding of Japan came through several business types of research. Japan will always be part of me, after all, its there where I met my wife he added.
A former student of the Erasmus University proposed a toast. He too studied in Japan but didn’t marry a Japanese. His wife is Italian. The crowd roared when they heard of Joop having acting skills and even acted in a Japanese drama.
The reception was a kind of Erasmus old boys reunion. Also present were Prof. Dr. Bert van der Knaap, Erasmus School of Economics and Prof. Dr. Ben Bakker.
Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata, proposed a toast and invited the guests to enjoy the light meal specially prepared for them.
