Kikkoman Chairman and CEO Receives Commander's Cross

On May 9, Yuzaburo Mogi, Chairman and CEO of Kikkoman Corporation, received the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Grosses Verdienstkreuz des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) from Henrik Schmiegelow, German Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan.

The award was presented by the German government in acknowledgement of Mr. Mogi’s outstanding contributions to Germany. Since 2002, Mr. Mogi has held the position of Japanese chairman of the German-Japanese Forum; he has also been recognized for his commitment to friendship and mutual understanding between Japan and Germany. Mr. Mogi’s long relationship with Germany began in 1973, when he was involved in the opening of a Japanese restaurant in that country as part of an overseas campaign to promote Japanese cultural awareness.

The awards ceremony was attended by nearly 60 key government and business leaders. Ambassador Schmiegelow expressed his gratification by the decision of the president of the Federal Republic of Germany to award Mr. Mogi this supreme honor. Mr. Mogi conveyed his gratitude and underscored his commitment to a stable economic and political relationship between Japan and Europe.