The Government of Japan has awarded Professor Nobuhito Hobo the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the economic development of Japan and other countries. The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon is given to persons who have been engaged in public service and who have made outstanding achievements.


Professor Hobo specializes in International Development Studies, Aid Policy Studies, and Cross-cultural Understanding. After joining the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1975, he worked in diplomatic administration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as Director of three divisions of the Economic Cooperation Bureau, and as Deputy Assistant Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He then served as Consul-General of Japan in Sydney; Vice-President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and later as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Sri Lanka.

After retiring from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in July 2015, he became Secretary-General of GRIPS ALLIANCE, and in October of the same year, he became Professor of GRIPS. He has contributed to GRIPS’ educational and research activities, applying his experience in the fields of International Development Studies, Aid Policy Studies and Cross-cultural Understanding.