On 24 February, the highest award of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), the Gold Medal, was presented to Shigehiro Komaru, Honorary Consul General of Lithuania. The Consul was honoured for his outstanding contribution to strengthening ties between Lithuania and Japan, fostering academic and cultural cooperation, and supporting educational initiatives.
Lasting value for Lithuania and Japan
“A university is a place where cultures, languages, and people meet, and future connections often begin with the initiative of a single individual. Ties between countries grow stronger when there is belief in intercultural dialogue and in the opportunity to learn from one another. Universities become spaces where such initiatives take shape, and partnerships develop into long-term cooperation connecting cities, institutions, and communities.
Today, we can confidently say that the international environment at Vytautas Magnus University is stronger than ever before, and Shigehiro Komaru, whose dedication to education, cultural exchange, and cross-border dialogue has been creating lasting value for Lithuania and Japan for many years, has made a significant contribution to this,” said VMU Rector Prof. Ineta Dabašinskienė.
Aurelijus Zykas, the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Japan and former long-standing Head of the VMU Centre for Asian Studies, who also attended the ceremony, was delighted to return to his alma mater on such an occasion. “You will not find another person in Japan who has done more for Vytautas Magnus University than Mr. Komaru. I still remember the ceremony eight years ago when Mr. Komaru was appointed Visiting Professor at VMU, and a great deal has happened since then,” said Aurelijus Zykas.
Among the most important activities initiated by Shigehiro Komaru, in his view, are the annual Japanese Language Speech Contest, the Komaru Bunko foundation, which donates Japanese books to VMU, and partnerships with Hiroshima City University and Fukuyama City University.
“Of all these activities, I am personally most impressed by educational exchanges, because I believe that through education we bring distant nations closer together and build peace and the future,” the Ambassador noted, thanking not only Shigehiro Komaru but also VMU for recognising those who have contributed to the University.
Accepting the award, the Honorary Consul General of Lithuania, Shigehiro Komaru, thanked everyone who had contributed to his team’s efforts in fostering ties between Lithuania and Japan. As a token of appreciation, he presented VMU with a hundred Japanese books. The Komaru Bunko collection in the Asian book section of the University Library has been steadily expanding since 2019, when Shigehiro Komaru first donated 750 Japanese books to VMU. Today, they form an important part of Japanese studies at the University.
Merits beyond the field of education
Shigehiro Komaru is Chairman of the Board and President of Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd., and Chairman of the Fukuyama Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Since 2017, he has served as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania in Fukuyama, and since 2021, he has been the first Honorary Consul General of Lithuania in Japan. In these roles, he has become a true bridge between cities, institutions, and people. He regularly visits Lithuania, builds connections with leaders in politics, business, and education, has on several occasions accompanied Japanese Prime Ministers during their visits to Lithuania, and has contributed to hosting high-level Lithuanian delegations in Japan.
His activities are particularly significant in the fields of education and culture. Established in 2013, the Komaru Transportation Foundation organises annual Japanese Language Speech Contests worldwide, and this competition has been held at VMU since 2018. Each year, the winners receive valuable prizes, including funded short-term study courses in Japan.
Shigehiro Komaru’s initiatives also contribute to broader institutional cooperation. In 2024, a letter of intent on industrial and academic cooperation between institutions in Fukuyama and Lithuania was signed, involving Fukuyama Transporting Co., Ltd., the Komaru Kōtsu Foundation, VMU, JSC Hoptrans Holding, and Fukuyama City University. In 2025, at his initiative, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the cities of Fukuyama and Alytus, and these agreements have already resulted in tangible youth exchanges.
Thanks to Shigehiro Komaru’s targeted contribution, VMU has significantly expanded opportunities in Japanese studies and strengthened its role as a national centre for intercultural and multilingual education.
His merits have also been recognised by Lithuanian state institutions. In 2024, Mr. Komaru was awarded the “Star of Lithuanian Diplomacy”, an honorary distinction presented by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2025, he received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for the promotion of Japanese language education in foreign countries. In 2026, he was awarded the Cross of Officer of the Order for Merits to Lithuania for his outstanding contribution to developing bilateral relations between Lithuania and Japan, strengthening cultural and academic ties, and promoting Lithuania’s name in Japan.
The solemn ceremony held at VMU was attended by members of Shigehiro Komaru’s delegation; the Ambassador of Lithuania to Japan, Aurelijus Zykas; Head of the Directorate for the Indo-Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ričardas Šlepavičius; CEO of Hoptrans Holding LT, Rimvydas Melkūnas; Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority, Algis Latakas, and his adviser, Kornelija Butkutė; member of the Kaunas–Japan Friendship Association KAJADA, Rasa Bortkevičienė; Founder and Board Member of the Sugihara Foundation “Diplomats for Life”, Ramūnas Garbaravičius, and its Project Manager Emilija Šakalienė; President of the Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts, Zigmantas Dargevičius; and journalist, cultural figure, and publicist, Birutė Garbaravičienė.
The University community was represented at the ceremony by VMU Rector Prof. Ineta Dabašinskienė; Vice-Rector for Research and Innovations, Dr. Rolandas Urbonas; Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Finance, Prof. Astrida Miceikienė; Head of the VMU Centre for Asian Studies, Dr. Arvydas Kumpis; staff members of the Centre, Assoc. Prof. Linas Didvalis, Simona Kumpė, and Kayako Takagi; and Head of the VMU International Cooperation and Marketing Unit, Vaidas Dačiola. The event was also attended by two laureates of the Japanese Language Speech Contest, Chalara Grietnickaitė and Monika Kažuraitė.
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