Japan Embassy Hosts Reception Honoring MUTOH Keiko on Conferment of Order of the Rising Sun
KUWAIT CITY, Oct 15: The Embassy of Japan in the State of Kuwait held a reception to celebrate the Conferment of ‘the Order of the Rising Sun Gold and Silver Rays’, bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan upon Ms. MUTOH Keiko, CEO of Food Supply Co. WLL. and Owner of Kei Japanese Restaurant.
This decoration was in recognition of Ms. KEIKO’s outstanding contributions to promoting Japanese cuisine, as well as Japanese food culture and food products in Kuwait.
The reception brought together over 60 guests, including her close associates and prominent representatives from major companies in Kuwait’s business and hospitality sector.
In his speech, H.E. Mr. MUKAI Kenichiro, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait, highlighted Ms. KEIKO’s distinguished achievements. The Ambassador emphasized her pivotal role as a key partner for the Embassy in promoting Japanese food culture in Kuwait.
He noted recent successful collaborations, such as the Japanese Wagyu Beef Seminar held in February 2026, where Ms. KEIKO’s insights as a Goodwill Ambassador directly contributed to the growing appreciation of premium Japanese products in the local market.
Furthermore, the Ambassador commended her deep community spirit, demonstrated through her active support to the Japanese Community. He emphasized that this Imperial Decoration recognizes her decades of dedication to fostering bilateral ties, as well as her hospitality and commitment to connecting people of Japan and Kuwait.
In her remarks, Ms. KEIKO expressed her deep gratitude for the Imperial recognition of her efforts to promote Japanese food culture. She noted that through her work, she hopes to foster a deeper understanding of Japanese culture among the local community in Kuwait. As she stated: “Food has a wonderful ability to bring people together. It crosses language and cultural barriers”. She also emphasized that sharing Japanese cuisine means sharing a part of Japanese culture: “Our traditions, our values, our respect for ingredients, and the spirit behind Japanese cuisine, also perhaps even what makes Japanese people tick”.
In 1980, Kei Japanese Restaurant was established Ms. KEIKO’s father as Kuwait’s first Japanese restaurant.
In 2004, Ms. KEIKO took over the business and has since devoted herself to carrying forward her father’s vision of introducing Japanese cuisine to the people of Kuwait. Through her dedication, she has preserved his legacy by continuing to serve authentic Japanese cuisine. Today, she successfully oversees KEI’s operations in both Kuwait and Bahrain.
Thanks to Ms. KEIKO’s tireless efforts over the decades, Japanese cuisine has steadily grown in popularity in Kuwait. From a time when only a handful of Japanese restaurants existed in the country, Kuwait now has more than 100 establishments of various sizes. Amid this remarkable growth, KEI Japanese Restaurant continues to be widely recognized as a pioneer of authentic Japanese dining in Kuwait.
Ms. KEIKO’s efforts to promoting Japanese cuisine and food culture have greatly deepened the Kuwaiti people’s understanding of Japan, while also fostering stronger ties of friendship between the two countries.
She has also worked diligently to expand the demand for Japanese cuisine through various initiatives. For example, she launched a premium Japanese fruit kiosk as part of the Japanese government’s campaign to promote food exports.
TOYOSHIMA Manabu First Secretary Embassy of Japan