Japanese bass awarded by Russia

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) awards the Pushkin Medal to Japanese operatic bass Chikara Kishimoto at the presidential official residence in the suburbs of Moscow on Feb. 17, 2012.

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Japanese operatic bass Chikara Kishimoto shake hands as the former awards the Pushkin Medal to the latter at the presidential official residence in the suburbs of Moscow on Feb. 17, 2012.

7 Japanese awarded Russian medals for promotion of culture

7 Japanese awarded Russian medals for promotion of culture

TOKYO, Japan - Seven Japanese including simultaneous Japanese-Russian interpreter Yuki Yoshioka were awarded the Pushkin Medal Jan. 29 for their contributions to the promotion of Russian language and culture in a ceremony at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. Photo shows Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Bely (C) and six award recipients posing for photos at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. Ichiro Fujimori, chief of the Moscow bureau for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was also awarded but could not attend the ceremony.

7 Japanese awarded Russian medals for promotion of culture

7 Japanese awarded Russian medals for promotion of culture

TOKYO, Japan - Seven Japanese including simultaneous Japanese-Russian interpreter Yuki Yoshioka were awarded the Pushkin Medal Jan. 29 for their contributions to the promotion of Russian language and culture in a ceremony at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. Photo shows Russian Ambassador to Japan Mikhail Bely (C) and six award recipients posing for photos at the Russian Embassy in Tokyo. Ichiro Fujimori, chief of the Moscow bureau for the Hokkaido Shimbun newspaper, was also awarded but could not attend the ceremony. (Kyodo)

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Japanese operatic bass Chikara Kishimoto shake hands as the former awards the Pushkin Medal to the latter at the presidential official residence in the suburbs of Moscow on Feb. 17, 2012. (Kyodo)

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

Japanese bass awarded by Russia

MOSCOW, Russia - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) awards the Pushkin Medal to Japanese operatic bass Chikara Kishimoto at the presidential official residence in the suburbs of Moscow on Feb. 17, 2012. (Kyodo)