Güler Sabancı Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun

Güler Sabancı, Chair of the Board of Sabancı Holding and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı Foundation, was honored by the Government of Japan with the "Golden Rays and Rising Sun Medal and Neck Ribbon" on the centennial of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.

Güler Sabancı stated, "In this meaningful year when we celebrate the centennial of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, it is a great honor for me to be deemed worthy of the Golden Rays and Rising Sun Medal. I accept this medal as a symbol of our long-standing and strong ties with Japan."

Güler Sabancı, Chair of the Board of Sabancı Holding and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Sabancı Foundation, received the "Golden Rays and Rising Sun Medal and Neck Ribbon" from the Government of Japan for her contributions to promoting Japanese culture in Turkey and developing economic and cultural relations between Japan and Turkey. At the ceremony held at Sakıp Sabancı Museum, the medal was presented to Güler Sabancı by KATSUMATA Takahiko, Ambassador of Japan to Turkey.

Güler Sabancı said in her speech at the ceremony, "In this meaningful year when we celebrate the centennial of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, it is a great honor for me to be deemed worthy of the Golden Rays and Rising Sun Medal. For my family and Sabancı Group, every step that brings the two countries closer has always been of great importance. Our relationship with Japan and Japanese companies dates back nearly 50 years, to my late uncles Sakıp Sabancı and Özdemir Sabancı. All the Sabancı siblings, particularly Sakıp Sabancı and Özdemir Sabancı, have always admired Japanese culture, work ethic and discipline."

Stating that Japanese culture has always been a great source of inspiration for her,
Güler Sabancı continued, "I have been working in such an environment for more than 45 years. In my business life, I have had the opportunity to work with many Japanese companies, particularly Bridgestone. What I have learned from them—mutual respect, attentive listening, emphasis on teamwork, the power of collective decision-making for success, and the 'Kaizen' philosophy of continuous improvement—have been important gains and principles in this long working life of mine. I accept this medal as a symbol of our long-standing and strong ties with Japan."

KATSUMATA Takahiko, Ambassador of Japan to Turkey, said, "We are delighted, as family members, to see Güler Sabancı honored with this medal for her deep affection for Japan and Japanese culture and her strong commitment to developing interactions between the two countries, thus making a great contribution to the advancement of friendly relations between the two nations. Furthermore, I believe that the Japan-Turkey relations, which have reached the centennial milestone, will continue to develop further with the support of friends and supporters of Turkey and Japan, particularly Ms. Güler Sabancı. The campus of Sabancı University is famous for its rows of Japanese cherry blossoms that bloom with flowers in spring months, but today we can say that a great flower has also blossomed in the relationship between Ms. Güler Sabancı and Japan. I reiterate my sincere congratulations to Ms. Güler Sabancı and to her family members who have supported her endeavors for many years, on this medal."