On 3 November 2007, the Japanese Government announced that a decoration was to be bestowed upon Sir David William Brewer CMG, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting economic and cultural exchange between Japan and the UK. The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon will be presented to him by Ambassador Nogami on behalf of His Majesty The Emperor of Japan.
In 1959 Sir David embarked on a long and successful career in the insurance industry. This included a three-year stint in Japan in the late 1970s. Subsequently, he served as Chairman of Sedgwick Japan Ltd, whilst living in London.
Reflecting his keen interest in boosting Japan-UK commercial ties, Sir David closely involved himself with the Action Japan Campaign organized by the Department of Trade and Industry. Through his consistently active membership of the Action Japan Committee, he contributed greatly to strengthening Japan-UK economic ties, above all in enhancing mutual trade and investment. He has recently been appointed a Trustee of the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation.
In 1996 Sir David was elected Alderman of the City of London, which was followed by his appointment as Sheriff in 2002. He was then elected Lord Mayor of the City of London. Taking advantage of his great knowledge and experience of Japan, Sir David was involved with the planning of the City of London Festival 2006 as an opportunity to celebrate the cultural richness of Japan. The Festival, with its main theme Trading Places: London - Tokyo, was an outstanding success, attracting many guests from all over UK.
As Lord Mayor, Sir David headed the Square Mile��s largest ever business delegation to Japan in summer 2006. He had a number of meetings with Japanese political and business leaders, actively seeking further cooperation between the City and Japan.
On hearing that he was to be decorated by the Japanese Government, Sir David commented: ��I am deeply honoured by this award and I am very grateful to the people who have made it possible. Japan has played a very important part in my life, ever since I became involved with Japanese insurance business when I started my career in the City of London in 1959. This led to me being sent to Tokyo in 1976 to open the Japan Representative Office for Sedgwick, and I lived there for just under three years. This has been the only time I have lived outside the United Kingdom and it was an experience that has had a great influence on my life. As well as visiting Japan regularly, I greatly enjoy my frequent contact with the substantial Japanese financial community in the City of London. To everyone I say ��Domo arigato gozaimashita'.��
Throughout his professional life, Sir David has been at the heart of Japan-UK ties. His invaluable role in this regard is widely recognized by people and organizations devoted to strengthening bilateral relations.
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