Masanori Togawa and Masatsugu Minaka Honored by Belgium as Commanders in the Order of Leopold
Masanori Togawa, President and CEO of Daikin Industries Ltd., and Masatsugu Minaka, Senior Executive Officer of Daikin Industries and Chairman of the Board of Daikin Europe N.V., have been honored as Commanders in the Order of Leopold by the Kingdom of Belgium. The award ceremony took place at the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo on May 29, with Antoine Evrard, Ambassador of Belgium to Japan, presenting the awards. This honor, the highest awarded to foreign civilians by Belgium, recognizes outstanding achievements that benefit the country.
Togawa and Minaka join the ranks of other distinguished Daikin Group members who have received this honor, including Noriyuki Inoue in 2013 and Frans Hoorelbeke in 2017. His Majesty King Philippe, on the recommendation of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, granted the titles for their significant contributions to Belgium-Japan relations and economic development.
Togawa was recognized for his leadership in transforming Daikin’s Ostend factory to produce high-value-added products like heat pumps and air-conditioning systems. He also spearheaded the establishment of a new state-of-the-art R&D center in Ghent, enhancing economic ties between Japan and Belgium.
Minaka, with nearly 30 years of service in Belgium, was honored for his role in strengthening economic relations through his leadership in Daikin Europe’s local business activities, including development, production, sales, and servicing in the HVAC-R sector. He has also fostered cultural and economic exchange between Japan and Belgium through his work with the Belgium-Japan Association and Chamber of Commerce and Nihonjinkai, the Japanese Association of Belgium.
Daikin Europe, established in Ostend in 1972, began producing air conditioners there in 1973. Since then, the company has become a global leader in HVAC-R innovations for both residential and professional use, deeply rooting itself in local markets worldwide.
Masanori Togawa expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is an honor beyond measure to receive this award. Last year, Daikin Europe celebrated its 50th anniversary and in 2024 Daikin Industries is celebrating its 100th anniversary. I would like to thank the Belgian Royal Family, the Belgian Government, and the Belgian Embassy for their support over the years.”
Looking ahead, Daikin is investing 140 million EUR in a new R&D center in Ghent, set to open later this year. Masatsugu Minaka emphasized the importance of the ongoing cooperation between Belgium and Japan, saying, “I am reminded of the warmth and cooperation of the Belgian people, which have not only facilitated my professional endeavors but have also created enduring bonds of friendship and mutual respect between our countries. With this prestigious award, I renew my commitment to further nurturing these ties and to continue contributing to our shared goals of prosperity and sustainability. Our new R&D center will not only drive innovation but also contribute to Belgium’s sustainable energy transition. Our continuous investments in Belgium clearly demonstrate Daikin Europe’s commitment to playing an active role in this crucial transition, while fostering a future that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.”
