AMBASSADOR TO PERU AOKI CONFERRED PERU'S HIGHEST HONOUR IN TOKYO, 1997-05-23 (photo)

Former Japanese Ambassador to Peru Morihisa Aoki (L) is conferred Peru's highest national honour, the Grand Cross of the Sun of Peru, from Peruvian Ambassador to Japan Victor Aritomi at the latter's embassy in Tokyo May 23, recognising Aoki's work in strengthening bilateral relations, and his "courage and dexterity" during the four-month hostage crisis at his former residence in Lima. Initially hailed in Japan as a hero who defended fellow hostages during the 126-day siege by Marxist rebels, Aoki fell from grace on his return when attention switched from the captives' fate to how the incident happened, and resigned from his post last week. JAPAN