Robert Keating, who served as deputy minister in the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of Québec and as delegate general of Québec in Tokyo, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. The Government of Japan announced the award on April 29. During his time in Tokyo between 2000 and 2005, he contributed to Québec–Japan relations by receiving many delegations from Québec, including economic missions, as well as academic and cultural organizations. He continued his work in building ties between the province and Japan during his time as a high ranking official in Québec.