At the 2025 Autumn Conferment of Decorations, Japan conferred the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star upon Prof. Emeritus Takashi Shiraishi, for his outstanding contributions to the establishment of Southeast Asian Studies and East Asian International Relations as globally recognized fields and to the enhancement of the international competitiveness of Japan’s academic community. This order is awarded to distinguished individuals for their long and/or meritorious service of the public good.

Prof. Emeritus Shiraishi specializes in Southeast Asian studies and international relations. After graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo in 1972, he served as assistant at the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia and as associate professor at the College of Arts and Sciences. In 1986, he earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University. He then held professorships in the Department of Asian Studies at Cornell University and at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University.

In 2005, Prof. Emeritus Shiraishi became professor and vice president of GRIPS, and from April 2011 he served as GRIPS president for six years. During his time on those positions, he vigorously promoted international exchange, enhanced the quality of education, and advanced the university’s international presence. He concurrently served as director of the Institute of Developing Economies and as a full-time committee member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation at the Cabinet Office. In April 2018, he became chairman of the board of Kumamoto Prefectural University, and in March 2024 he was awarded the title of Special Honorary Professor there. Since then, he also served as a counselor at Kumamoto University. He continues to contribute to the development of many young researchers as a world-renowned scholar in East Asian international relations.