2026 Fall Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals
2026/11/3
The Government of Japan has decided to confer the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star upon Yang Mulia Haji Shahbudin Haji Musa, Former Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan, in recognition of his significant contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting friendship between Japan and Brunei Darussalam.
Haji Shahbudin Haji Musa served as the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, he made outstanding contributions to elevating bilateral relations by facilitating numerous high-level and royal visits. Notably, he played a pivotal role in coordinating the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for the 2019 Imperial Enthronement Ceremony as well as the bilateral meeting held during the visit, further consolidating the close ties between Japan and Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, his diplomatic dedication during the Sultan’s visit to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2023 paved the way for upgrading Japan-Brunei relations to a "Strategic Partnership." Furthermore, he successfully organized the 40th diplomatic anniversary reception in 2024, which was graced by the presence of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, further deepening and reinforcing royal and cultural bonds.
Even before his diplomatic career, Haji Shahbudin dedicated immense effort to building strong ties between Japan and Brunei. In the business sector, he contributed significantly to Japan’s stable energy supply as Managing Director of Brunei Gas Carriers by ensuring the safe maritime transport of LNG to Japan.
In the sphere of people-to-people exchanges, he served as the President of the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) from 2013 to 2015, an organization dedicated to fostering economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Brunei Darussalam and Japan. In his responsibility, he contributed to enhancing Japan's presence in Brunei Darussalam and deepening bilateral friendship and goodwill.
Haji Shahbudin Haji Musa served as the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Japan from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, he made outstanding contributions to elevating bilateral relations by facilitating numerous high-level and royal visits. Notably, he played a pivotal role in coordinating the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah for the 2019 Imperial Enthronement Ceremony as well as the bilateral meeting held during the visit, further consolidating the close ties between Japan and Brunei Darussalam.
In addition, his diplomatic dedication during the Sultan’s visit to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2023 paved the way for upgrading Japan-Brunei relations to a "Strategic Partnership." Furthermore, he successfully organized the 40th diplomatic anniversary reception in 2024, which was graced by the presence of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, further deepening and reinforcing royal and cultural bonds.
Even before his diplomatic career, Haji Shahbudin dedicated immense effort to building strong ties between Japan and Brunei. In the business sector, he contributed significantly to Japan’s stable energy supply as Managing Director of Brunei Gas Carriers by ensuring the safe maritime transport of LNG to Japan.
In the sphere of people-to-people exchanges, he served as the President of the Brunei-Japan Friendship Association (BJFA) from 2013 to 2015, an organization dedicated to fostering economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Brunei Darussalam and Japan. In his responsibility, he contributed to enhancing Japan's presence in Brunei Darussalam and deepening bilateral friendship and goodwill.