Japanese automaker Suzuki’s former chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Late Osamu Suzuki, was awarded India’s second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, posthumously for his contributions to the Indian automotive industry, according to the official announcement.
Osamu Suzuki, who passed away at the age of 94 years, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, posthumously, for exceptional and distinguished service in the Indian auto sector.
Who was Osamu Suzuki?
Osamu Suzuki was one of the pioneers of the global automotive sector. The 94-year-old executive died on Wednesday, 25 December 2024, due to a Malignant lymphoma.
After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Chuo University, Suzuki joined Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. in 1958, and after being a part of the company for more than five years, he was appointed as Director of the Japanese automaker.
After the company’s name was changed to Suzuki Motor Corporation in 1990, in 2000, Osamu Suzuki was appointed as the Director and Chairman of the firm.
He stepped down as the Chairman and became a Senior Corporate Advisor for the auto giant.
Osamu Suzuki’s awards
Osamu Suzuki has been awarded multiple distinguished recognitions from several nations. According to the official company data, Osamu Suzuki received the Sitara-e-Pakistan award from the government of Pakistan in 1985, the Medal with Blue Ribbon from Japan in 1987, and the Commander’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit from Hungary in 1993.
He also received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star from Japan, and in 2002 was inducted into a Hall of Fame of Japan Automobile Hall of Fame.
Again in May 2004, Osamu Suzuki received the Commander’s Cross with the Star of the Hungarian Order of Merit.
In 2007, he received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India, which is India’s third-highest civilian award. In March 2020 he also received the Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit from Hungary.
