Mitsui Chemical’s Akihiro Yamaguchi Receives Singapore’s Public Service Medal

April 14, 2009
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Dr. Akihiro Yamaguchi, Senior Managing Director of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and Center Executive of the Research Center, was presented with the “The Public Service Medal (Friends of Singapore / Business)” by the Singapore government. The medal was presented at The Istana, the official residence of the President, by President S R Nathan. The medal, which honors people with significant contributions to Singapore, was presented to Dr. Yamaguchi to recognize his contributions to Singapore’s economic development and technological advancement.

The Mitsui Chemicals Group has been actively expanding business in Singapore for more than 40 years since the Group established itself as an adhesives manufacturer there in 1966. In the late 1990s, to support its business operations in Asian markets with exceptional growth potential, Mitsui Chemicals made large-scale investments in Singapore for phenol, bisphenol-A, and elastomers production facilities. The company’s success in Singapore is largely due to the nation’s world-class procurement sources, port facilities, logistics and human resources. It has also benefited from and appreciates the support that has been shown towards its business operations by the Singapore Government.

In the field of research and development, Mitsui Chemicals started a joint research project with A*STAR in 2004 and with National University of Singapore in 2005. In 2006, the company established its first overseas R&D Center in Singapore to serve as a hub for global research and development activities. In April 2006, Mitsui Chemicals co-hosted the “Singapore International Symposium 2006 (SIS2006)” with Singapore’s A*STAR and the Economic Development Board to promote global networking in the fields of advanced materials and chemistry.

Dr. Akihiro Yamaguchi energetically participated in Mitsui Chemicals’ research and development activities in Singapore. From 2004 through 2006, he served on the board of A*STAR and the Science and Engineering Research Council of A*STAR. These activities were recognized by the Singapore Government and Dr. Yamaguchi was selected to receive this year’s medal.

In 2003, Mitsui Chemicals chairman, Dr. Hiroyuki Nakanishi (then President & CEO), was awarded the Distinguished Friends of Singapore award. In 2008, the company was presented the Distinguished Partners In Progress (DPIP) Award by the Singapore government. The company is exceedingly pleased that it and its employees have been recognized three times by the Government of Singapore.

Message by Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of Singapore’s Economic Development Board:

"Singapore is very grateful to Dr. Akihiro Yamaguchi for his friendship, support and personal commitment to Singapore. Through the investments by Mitsui Chemicals, he has been instrumental in building up the capabilities of Singapore’s chemical industry and has done much to strengthen our economy. My heartiest congratulations to Dr. Yamaguchi"

Message by Dr. Akihiro Yamaguchi, Senior Managing Director of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. :

It is a great privilege for me to have received the Public Service Medal (Friends of Singapore) 2008. I would like to express my deepest gratitude for all the high praise that I have received. I sincerely hope that this award helps further the progress and development of Singapore’s chemical industry and the country’s research and development programs. I will continue to do my utmost to promote the trusting relationship between Singapore and Mitsui Chemicals.

The Mitsui Chemicals Group will continue to strengthen and expand business operations worldwide, with a special focus on Singapore. The company will continue efforts to contribute to the Singapore economy and the development of new technologies and creation of new job opportunities.

Please direct any inquiries to the following:

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
CSR & Corporate Communications Div.
TEL:03-6253-2100

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