Honorary Distinctions and Honours

Dr. Sasakawa is a figure of exceptional international significance, whose work spans ocean science, maritime studies, marine environmental protection, as well as humanitarian efforts and the promotion of peace. His achievements have been recognized by numerous universities and scientific institutions worldwide, as well as by organizations working in health, education, and sustainable development. Dr. Sasakawa not only advances scientific knowledge but also actively supports maritime education and initiatives related to maritime safety and conservation.

Throughout his career, he has received over twenty honorary doctorates and professorial titles from leading institutions, including the University of Belgrade, Ateneo de Manila University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of York. He is also an honorary professor at several universities in China, including Yunnan, Dalian, and Shanghai. A particularly important aspect of his work is his contribution to maritime education and ocean sciences – he serves as Honorary Chair of the International Association of Maritime Universities and has been repeatedly recognized for his contributions to maritime research and shipping, including the IMO International Maritime Prize (2014; presented in 2015) and the Ocean’s 8 Award from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (2017).

Dr. Sasakawa’s humanitarian and social contributions are equally impressive. He has received, among other honours, the WHO Director-General’s Global Health Leaders Award (2022) and the WHO Health-for-All Gold Medal (2017), as well as the Gandhi Peace Prize (2019). In Japan, he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan, 2019) and recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit (Japan, 2019). He has also received the International Bar Association’s Rule of Law Award (2014). He has been widely recognized by nations and international organizations for promoting peace, health, and education, receiving awards ranging from honorary citizenships to the highest national decorations, including the Royal Order of Monisaraphon in Cambodia, the Polestar Order in Mongolia, and medals from Vietnam, Serbia, Sweden, and Malaysia.

Dr. Sasakawa’s achievements demonstrate how scientific and humanitarian work can complement each other. His work on ocean and maritime affairs demonstrates that science can contribute to environmental protection, sustainable development, and global security. As a leader and mentor, he inspires new generations of scientists and social advocates, showing that knowledge and passion can help change the world for the better.

HONORARY DEGREES, TITLES AND PROFESSORSHIPS

2025 – Doctor Honoris Causa, Gdynia Maritime University, Poland
2025 – Honorary Doctorate, Western Balkans University, Albania
2023 – Honorary Doctorate, University of Belgrade, Serbia
2019 – Doctor of Humanities, Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines
2018 – Honorary Doctor, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mongolia
2018 – Advisory Professor, Jilin University, China
2017 – Doctor of Laws, University of Minnesota, USA
2016 – Doctor Honoris Causa, Sofia University, Bulgaria
2013 – Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University, University of York, the United Kingdom
2012 – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities, University of Malaya, Malaysia
2012 – Honorary Degree of Doctor of Agricultural Development Honoris Causa, Hawassa University
2009 – Honorary Professorship, Yunnan University, China
2008 – Honorary Degree of Doctor in Humane Letters, University for Peace, Costa Rica
2008 – Honorary Professorship, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, China
2007 – Honorary Doctor of Humanity, University of Cambodia, Cambodia
2007 – Honorary Professorship, Guizhou University, China
2007 – Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA
2006 – Honorary Professorship, Dalian Maritime University, China
2005 – Doctor Honoris Causa, Jadavpur University, India
2005 – Honorary Chair, International Association of Maritime Universities
2004 – Honorary Professorship, Shanghai Maritime University, China
2004 – Doctor Honoris Causa, World Maritime University, Sweden
2004 – Honorary Professorship, Heilongjiang University, China
2004 – Honorary Professorship, Harbin Medical University, China
2003 – Honorary Professorship, China Medical University, China
2003 – Doctor Honoris Causa, Academy of Management, Mongolia
2000 – Honorary Professorship, Yanbian University, China
2000 – Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Bucharest, Romania
2000 – Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

HONOURS

2022 – WHO Director-General’s Global Health Leaders Award
2021 – Order of Merit in the rank of Grand Officer, Ecuador
2019 – Seiron Grand Prize, Fuji Sankei’s Communications Group, Japan
2019 – Jürgen Palm Award, The Association for International Sport for All
2019 – Person of Cultural Merit, Japan
2019 – Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan
2019 – Gandhi Peace Prize (Awarded in 2018)
2018 – Honorary Citizenship of the Republic of Palau
2018 – The Royal Order of Monisaraphon Knight Grand Cross, Cambodia
2017 – Ocean’s 8 Award, The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
2017 – Health and Human Rights Award, International Council of Nurses
2017 – Plus ratio quam vis Medal, Jagiellonian University
2017 – Health-for-All Gold Medal, World Health Organization
2016 – The Award of Distinction of the President of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
2015 – International Maritime Prize (Awarded in 2014)
2014 – The Rule of Law Award, International Bar Association
2013 – Gold Medal of Merit, Republic of Serbia
2013 – Friendship Medal of the State of Vietnam, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam
2011 – Royal Order of Sahametrei class Maha Sirivudha (Grand Cross), Cambodia
2011 – Commander of the Medal of Gratitude Central Africa
2010 – Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (Panglima Mangku Negara) Tan Sri, Malaysia
2010 – Commander of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
2010 – Ethiopian Millennium Gold Medal
2010 – Royal Order of the Polar Star-Commander First Class, Kingdom of Sweden
2010 – Ordem de Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste
2010 – The Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon with Star, Republic of Iceland
2010 – Order of the Knight of Dannebrog, Kingdom of Denmark
2010 – Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Medallion of the World Food Prize
2010 – Commander of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
2010 – The Patriarch’s Chart of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill
2010 – The Diploma of Honorary Academician of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences
2009 – ‘Science for Society’ Award, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
2007 – International Gandhi Award (Awarded in 2006)
2007 – Polestar Order, Mongolia
2007 – Coast Guard Legion of Honor (Degree of Maginoo)
2006 – Commandeur de l’Ordre National du Mali à titre Étranger
2004 – Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize, Japan
2003 – Commandeur de l’Ordre Royal du Monisaraphon, Cambodia
2003 – National Construction Medal, Cambodia
2003 – Officier de l’Ordre National, Government of Madagascar
2003 – The Special Award, World Maritime University, Sweden
2001 – Vaclav Havel Memorial Medal, Czech President Vaclav Havel
2001 – Millennium Gandhi Award, International Leprosy Union
2000 – Order of Merit in the rank of Grand Officer, Government of Romania
2000 – International Green Pen Award honour for Pacific Environmental Journalism, Fiji
2000 – Decerne la Medaille d’Honneur de Menerbes, France
1998 – Al Hussein Bin Ali Decoration for Accomplishment-First Degree, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
1998 – Health-for-All Gold Medal, World Health Organization
1997 – China Health Medal, Republic of China
1996 – Frantsiska Scarina Medal, People’s Republic of Belarus
1996 – Medal for Merits Third Degree, Ukraine
1996 – Kin Inka Sho, Republic of Peru
1996 – Order of Merit for Distinguished Service-Third Grade, Republic of Peru
1995 – La Grande Étoile de Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti
1989 – Grand Officier de L’Ordre du Mono, Republic of Togo