Nov 04 (NHK) - Haruo Obata, who has been called a "super volunteer" after finding a missing 2-year-old boy in Yamaguchi Prefecture in August, has been honored by his home prefecture of Oita.
The prefecture honors local people every year on Culture Day.
79-year-old Obata has been working as a volunteer in parts of the country that were hit by natural disasters. He became well-known nationwide after finding the boy in the mountains.
The prefecture recognized his dedication, saying it is a good example for other volunteers.