Sumiko Ando, a Japanese gallerist and board member of the Japan-Lithuania Friendship Association, has received Lithuania's Ministry of Culture badge of honour, Carry Your Light and Believe.
Announcing the award on Wednesday, the ministry said Ando, who also founded the Nishi Aizu International Art Village, was being recognised for her long-term support of cultural projects promoting Lithuania in Japan, along with her public engagement and philanthropic work.
The ministry said she had helped establish platforms giving Lithuanian artists access to Japanese art spaces, earning her a reputation as one of the country's leading cultural ambassadors in Asia.
The badge of honour is the ministry's highest accolade, awarded to public figures, artists and cultural workers either for a decade or more of contributions to Lithuanian culture, or for exceptional achievements in promoting it at home and abroad.
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