Cowra Councillors Bruce Miller and Bill West were joined by friends and family and presented with commendations from the Japanese Foreign Minister.

The commendations recognised the work both Cr Miller and Cr West had done in promoting friendly relations between Cowra and Japan.

Japanese ambassador to Australia Reiichiro Takahashi presented the pair with their awards.

"Over the course of 25 years both Mr Miller and Mayor West have worked tirelessly in building the friendship between the city of Cowra and Japan," Mr Takahashi said.

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"With the fruits of success evident in the robust relationship that exists between us today.

"Both Mr Miller and Mayor West have made significant, lasting contributions to the process of reconciliation between our two nations and through their endeavors brought the people of Australia and Japan closer together in mutual recognition and friendship.

"They have established a presence that will be followed for generations to come.

"On behalf of the foreign minister and the people of Japan, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you and offer my heartfelt congratulations on your longstanding achievements," he said.

In receiving their awards both Cr Miller and Cr West said the awards were cause for reflection.

"When I was contacted by the embassy to indicate I was being considered for an award such as this, I though 'Why? What have I done, what is special about my time as Mayor and the relationship I have with Japan?'," Cr Miller said.

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"It caused me to reflect on some of the activities that occurred during my term as the civic leader of Cowra on behalf of the community.

"I didn't think I had done anything special at all, what I had done was following in the footsteps of the wonderful example set by the returned service personnel straight after the Second World War and their wonderful and generous spirit and the need to heal those wounds.

"Everything that has been done since that time by a multitude of people both from Japan and from community groups within Cowra and further afield have worked towards that.

"As a civic leader I never saw it as a chore, I certainly didn't see it as a duty, I just saw it as a responsibility to carry on those wonderful examples and work demonstrated in the past.

"I have been given the wonderful experience of meeting some fantastic people and the thing that impressed me most is the wonderful warmhearted hospitality that has always been extended to us," he said.

"Many of my feelings and emotions are not dissimilar to my colleague Cr Miller," Cr West said.

"This is something that when it was suggested that I was going to receive it did evoke a number of thoughts, as Bruce indicated 'why me?'

"I got to thinking that part of this is about a legacy which was created by other people, a legacy that has continued and I have been in the very fortunate and privileged position of having a wonderful ride to see just how much work the Cowra community and broader community has done in terms of the Cowra and Japan relationship.

"So much of this award that I am receiving is based around the contribution they have made. I am humbled by the fact that this also evokes in my mind the thought of those around us at present that are currently working hard on the relationship between Cowra and the people of Japan.

"The legacy that I would hope I can pass on is that the baton gets passed on. That those that take it into the future receive it in just as good if not slightly better condition that I received it.

"Ambassador I thank you personally for what you have done and ask that you please pass on my deepest appreciation to the minister for this award which I will regard as being incredibly special."

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