In recognition of his distinguished contribution to relations between the UK and Japan, Her Majesty The Queen has appointed Minoru Mori to be an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Ambassador David Warren presented Mr Mori with the award at the British Embassy in Tokyo on Monday, 7 December.

Mr Mori received this recognition for his significant contribution to collaboration between the UK and Japan in the field of the arts. His support for leading British institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Tate Britain and Tate Modern has made a major contribution to their success. In 2003 he opened the Mori Arts Museum as part of the new Roppongi Hills complex. The Mori Arts Museum has established itself as a leading museum on the global stage, as well as one of Tokyo's pre-eminent venues for contemporary art. Many UK artists have been privileged to be able to present their work at the Mori Museum, including Mark Wallinger, Jim Lambie and others. One of the UK's leading figures in the arts, Tate director Sir Nicholas Serota, is represented on the International Advisory Committee of the Mori Art Museum.

In 2008, the British Embassy Tokyo and British Council celebrated the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UK and Japan, through a year-long series of events under the banner of UK-Japan 2008. Mr Mori's support for a number of UK-Japan 2008 events, including the grand opening event held at the Tokyo City View of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, the prestigious exhibition "History in the Making: A retrospective of the Turner Prize" held at the Mori Arts Museum and a talk event by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband with Japanese university students at the Academy Hills, made a major contribution to the success of UK-Japan 2008. In October 2008, he hosted a visit to Omotesando Hills by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall to view a fashion exhibition celebrating Scottish clothing designers and manufacturers.

Mr Mori commented at the event, "It is a great honor to be appointed honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. I owe this honor to success of our various events, including "History in the Making: A retrospective of the Turner Prize" that allowed people to familiarize themselves with the UK where cultural policy is playing a key role in society, and to the efforts of a great many people in the UK. Through many years of work in the urban development business, I have tried to contribute to the development of Tokyo and other Japanese cities. ; It is my great pleasure to see that Roppongi Hills, which was created with the concept to be a "Cultural Heart for Tokyo" and its icon, the Mori Art Museum, as well as our various international cultural exchanges have been highly recognized. ; It is my intention to continue contributing to further development of UK-Japan friendship and to the creation of vibrant magnet cities that attract people from around the world."

left: Ambassador David Warren, right: Minoru Mori