The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Japanese government awarded the commendation to Kazue Sakai of the Japan Malaysia Association.  She received the recognition from the government for her contribution to the mutual understanding and friendly relations between the two countries.

JMA has been working on the forestation in Sarawak for nearly two decades, and Ms. Sakai plays a pivotal role in the project among other efforts to bring the two countries closer.  The ceremony of the award was also reported on the Borneo Times.