TOKYO – The Government of the Sultanate of Oman has been honoured with the distinguished “Shokumon” award from the University of Tokyo, recognizing its substantial contributions to advancing academic research and cultural exchange in Middle Eastern studies. The award ceremony took place in Tokyo, where Dr. Mohammed bin Said Al Busaidi, Oman’s Ambassador to Japan, accepted the prize on behalf of the Omani government.

This recognition acknowledges the significant impact of the Sultan Qaboos Chair for Middle Eastern Studies, established at the university in 2011, which has served as a vital platform for scholarly dialogue and research development in Middle Eastern affairs.

The Shokumon award represents the highest honour conferred by the University of Tokyo upon individuals and institutions demonstrating exceptional contributions to the university’s academic mission and research objectives. Oman’s receipt of this award marks a historic milestone, representing the first time an Arab government has been honoured with this prestigious recognition in the prize’s history.