The Order of the Rising Sun is one of the most prestigious honors presented in Japan. Emperor Meiji created the Order in 1875, and it was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government.
 
The Order of the Rising Sun is presented to men and women who have made distinguished achievements in a range of fields, including industry.
 
On April 29, 2015, Kunio Sakuma, chairman of Toyo Ink Group, was named as a recipient of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. This is the third-highest level of the Order. Mr. Sakuma was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the printing-related and chemical industries.
 
Mr. Sakuma received the honor on May 12, 2015, and was given an audience with Japan’s Emperor Akihito.
 
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this honor,” said Mr. Sakuma, who was president of Toyo Ink Group from June 2000 to March 2011 and chairman of the Japan Printing Ink Makers’ Association (JPIMA) from 2009 to 2013. “I accept it on behalf of all the individuals associated with the printing ink manufacturing industry, which has helped to promote information-communication and cultural inheritance. I am truly grateful to my industry colleagues who served before me and the countless people who supported me.
 
“In the nearly half-century that I have served in this industry, the social climate has changed dramatically while printing technology has made remarkable advances,” Mr. Sakuma added. “As a dedicated member of a manufacturing enterprise I applied myself day in and out, striving to enrich the lives and cultures of people everywhere.”
 
Mr. Sakuma has been with Toyo Ink for 47 years, beginning when he joined Toyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd. in 1968. In 1986, he became plant manager of the adhesive tape manufacturing site at Kawagoe Plant (Saitama prefecture). By 1989, he was promoted to GM of the Adhesive Tape Department.
 
In 1991, Mr. Sakuma moved into corporate leadership, becoming manager of policy and strategic planning. In 1994, he was appointed a director for the company, and was promoted to managing director in 1997. In 2000, Mr. Sakuma was named Toyo Ink’s president and CEO, a post he held for 11 years before he was appointed chairman and representative director of Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd. in 2011.
 
Outside of his service to JPIMA, Mr. Sakuma also was played key roles with the Japan Chemical Industry Association, Japan Business Federation, Japan Dyestuff and Industrial Chemicals Association, Japan Packaging Association, Japanese Society of Printing Science and Technology, and other associations.
 
Mr. Sakuma said he looks forward to continuing to serve Japan in the coming years. “Now and in the future, I will continue to do my part to serve society in whatever ways I can,” Mr. Sakuma concluded.