Honorary doctorate for Kusunoki

DEPOK, West Java: The University of Indonesia presented on Wednesday an honorary doctorate to Japanese scholar Masahiro Kusunoki for his contribution to the development of Japanese- Indonesian studies.

The presentation ceremony was held at the university's convocation hall here, about 25 kilometers south of Jakarta.

Kusunoki delivered his dissertation summary titled What Was Forgotten by the Japanese at the ceremony.

Since 1990, Kusunoki has dedicated much of his time to the university's postgraduate program on research and study on Japan- Indonesia relations.

Born in Kyoto in 1921, Kusunoki graduated from the Department of Philosophy of the University of Ryukoku.

The presentation ceremony was presided over by Rector M.K. Tadjuddin.

In a press conference Monday, Kusunoki, who is also an emeritus professor at Tohoku University in Japan, expounded on his views about the role of religion in modern Japan.

He said people needed to reflect and to recognize their strengths and imperfections before they toil toward their goals.

"As one becomes more aware of one's imperfections, he can use those shortcomings to achieve his goals," said Kusunoki.

Kusunoki is the eleventh foreigner, and the only Japanese, to receive a doctorate from the state-owned university.

The university has conferred honorary doctorates to 23 people, including the late former Indonesian president Sukarno, the late Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and the late Kim Il Sung of North Korea. (09/swe)