Malaysian ambassador to Japan Ahmad Izlan Idris said the conferment of Japan’s highest award by Emperor Akihito, which will take place at the Imperial Palace here on Tuesday, was due to the huge contributions by Mahathir in strengthening bilateral ties.

“Traditionally this award is given to foreign leaders like prime ministers and statesmen from within and outside of Japan,” he told Malaysian journalists here.

Mahathir is the third leader from Asia to be conferred the prestigious award after former Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh.

“The prime minister and wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali are also scheduled to attend a luncheon with the Emperor and Empress of Japan on Wednesday at the Imperial Palace,” he said.