Order of Rising Sun honour for Helen Clark

Former prime minister Helen Clark. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark will be honoured with a prestigious award by the Japanese Government for her work promoting NZ-Japanese links.

The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun is the highest category of decoration in the order, which was established in 1875.

In receiving the honour, Clark joins a club that includes former Australian Prime Ministers John Howard and Malcolm Fraser, and disgraced former Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

In a press release announcing Clark's award, the Japanese Embassy said it was bestowed in recognition of Clark's contributions towards promoting friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand.

Clark had also strengthened the relationship between Japan and the United Nations Development Programme during her time heading the organisation. This included supporting the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, a conference on disaster risk reduction, and the World Assembly on Women.

Clark "has contributed to the deepening of diplomatic ties and understanding towards Japan in New Zealand as Member of Parliament and as Prime Minister, realising multiple high level exchanges through visits including one by Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to New Zealand and her own visit to the Aichi Expo which led to a deeper understanding of the respective countries amongst Japanese and Kiwi citizens", the press release states.