On October 15, 2026, 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 the Emperor of Japan upon Mutoh Keiko, CEO of Food Supply Co WLL and Owner of Kei Japanese Restaurant.
This decoration was in recognition of 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, Mukai Kenichiro, Ambassador of Japan to the State of Kuwait, highlighted 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 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, 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”.
Dining and Cooking