Taipei, May 5 (CNA) A local entrepreneur who has been tireless in promoting relations between Taiwan and Japan is to receive a gold medal from the Japanese Red Cross Society for the third time May 8 in Japan.

Tsai Hsueh-ni, president of the Sino-Ryukyuan Cultural and Economic Association, said Saturday that she will travel to Japan May 8 to receive the award, which will be conferred by Empress Michiko, honorary president of the association.

Tsai will be the only non-Japanese person to be awarded this year.

Tsai, who was born in 1935, has been promoting educational, agricultural, sports, cultural and tourism exchanges between Taiwan and Japan's Ryukyu islands for more than 20 years.

"Ryukyu is like my second home," Tsai said.

Speaking at a press conference, Tsai also said the friendship between Taiwan and Japan has deepened following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March last year.

Taiwan's donations in the wake of the disaster touched many hearts, while the fighting spirit of the Japanese people is also admirable, she said.

Also in May, Tsai will become the first woman in Taiwan to be decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government.

The Order of the Rising Sun was established in 1875 to honor people who have made distinguished contributions to Japan in various fields, including international relations and the promotion of Japanese culture.

(By Wei yun-ling and Maia Huang)
ENDITEM/J