Hida Sangyo Representative Director and Chairman Sanzo Okada Awarded 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon' for Contributions to Furniture Industry Development and Regional Industrial Promotion
Sanzo Okada, Representative Director and Chairman of Hida Sangyo, has been awarded the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon' in the Spring 2026 Honors, in recognition of his long-standing contributions to the development of the furniture industry and the promotion of regional industries. He also serves as Chairman of the Japan Furniture Industry Promotion Association, working to enhance the industry's international recognition and value.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 19:00
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Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Akiko Okada; hereinafter "Hida Sangyo") announces that Sanzo Okada, Representative Director and Chairman, who also serves as Chairman of the Japan Furniture Industry Promotion Association (hereinafter "Nikkashin"), has been awarded the "Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon" in the Spring 2026 Honors.
In addition to his contributions to the development of the furniture industry as Chairman of Nikkashin, Sanzo Okada has for many years been engaged in practicing sustainable manufacturing, nurturing furniture craftsmen, and contributing to the community as the manager of Hida Sangyo, a woodworking furniture manufacturer founded in 1920. This award was bestowed in recognition of these achievements as "Industrial Promotion Merit."
The award ceremony is scheduled for May 13, 2026, followed by an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace.
**Initiatives for the Development of Japan's Furniture Industry**
Since 2020, as Chairman of Nikkashin, Sanzo Okada has contributed to expanding the international recognition and enhancing the value of Japan's furniture industry by promoting industry collaboration, strengthening overseas outreach, encouraging the use of legal timber, fostering furniture craftsmen, and reinforcing initiatives related to SDGs.
*Scene from JAPAN FURNITURE SHOW*
**Practice of Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing**
Focusing on wood "knots" that were previously discarded, Hida Sangyo launched the "Mori no Kotoba" (Words of the Forest) series in 2001, which incorporates knots as a design feature. This overturned the industry's conventional wisdom that knots were defects, popularizing the idea of transforming knots into a charm of wood. Furthermore, to utilize cedar, which was considered unsuitable for furniture, they introduced compression technology. In 2005, in collaboration with Italian designer Enzo Mari, they unveiled the "HIDA" series at the Milan Triennale, earning international acclaim.
*The "Mori no Kotoba" series, featuring knots as the main element*
**Contribution to SDGs through CO₂ Reduction**
In 2023, to expand the use of domestically produced hardwoods, which often consist of small-diameter trees, Hida Sangyo established a new wood drying facility that utilizes hot spring heat, a local resource. This contributes to promoting the use of domestic timber, creating local employment, reducing CO₂ emissions, and fostering the circulation of forest resources.
*The "Okuhida Tochio Factory" utilizing hot spring heat*
**Establishment of Hida Craftsman Academy**
In 2014, the Hida Craftsman Academy, a general incorporated association, was established with the aim of training top-tier woodworking craftsmen and passing on cultural heritage to the next generation. To date, 34 furniture craftsmen have been produced.
*Hida Craftsman Academy students and Okada (center left)*
**Comment on Receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon**
Sanzo Okada
Representative Director and Chairman, Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
"It is a profound honor to receive the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.' I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our employees, many individuals involved in the furniture industry, and all stakeholders who have supported us daily. Leveraging my experience in the furniture industry, I have worked on rebuilding our company, effectively utilizing resources, nurturing human talent, and contributing to the development of Japan's furniture industry through activities in industry organizations. I will continue to contribute to the development of the local woodworking industry and Japan's furniture industry."
**Sanzo Okada Profile**
Born July 25, 1943, in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
**Career History**
1968: Joined Fujiya Co., Ltd.
1969: Appointed Representative Director and President of Fujiya Co., Ltd.
1987: Appointed Part-time Auditor of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
1995: Appointed Representative Director and Vice President of Valor Co., Ltd.
1995: Became Owner of Yuhakukan
1999: Resigned from Valor Co., Ltd.
1999: Co-managed Hida Takayama Teddy Bear Eco Village
2000: Appointed Representative Director and President of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
2020: Appointed Chairman of the Japan Furniture Industry Promotion Association (General Incorporated Association)
2021: Appointed Representative Director and Chairman of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
**About Hida Sangyo**
A woodworking furniture manufacturer founded in Hida Takayama in 1920. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, the company upholds the vision "To make Hida a sacred place for woodworking with the spirit and skill of master craftsmen" and conducts business based on four values: "Thinking of people," "Passing on time," "Polishing skills," and "Walking with the forest."
Under the HIDA woodworking furniture brand, Hida Sangyo aims for sustainable manufacturing that connects to the future, based on these four values.
Corporate Message
Keywords:
In addition to his contributions to the development of the furniture industry as Chairman of Nikkashin, Sanzo Okada has for many years been engaged in practicing sustainable manufacturing, nurturing furniture craftsmen, and contributing to the community as the manager of Hida Sangyo, a woodworking furniture manufacturer founded in 1920. This award was bestowed in recognition of these achievements as "Industrial Promotion Merit."
The award ceremony is scheduled for May 13, 2026, followed by an audience with His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace.
**Initiatives for the Development of Japan's Furniture Industry**
Since 2020, as Chairman of Nikkashin, Sanzo Okada has contributed to expanding the international recognition and enhancing the value of Japan's furniture industry by promoting industry collaboration, strengthening overseas outreach, encouraging the use of legal timber, fostering furniture craftsmen, and reinforcing initiatives related to SDGs.
*Scene from JAPAN FURNITURE SHOW*
**Practice of Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing**
Focusing on wood "knots" that were previously discarded, Hida Sangyo launched the "Mori no Kotoba" (Words of the Forest) series in 2001, which incorporates knots as a design feature. This overturned the industry's conventional wisdom that knots were defects, popularizing the idea of transforming knots into a charm of wood. Furthermore, to utilize cedar, which was considered unsuitable for furniture, they introduced compression technology. In 2005, in collaboration with Italian designer Enzo Mari, they unveiled the "HIDA" series at the Milan Triennale, earning international acclaim.
*The "Mori no Kotoba" series, featuring knots as the main element*
**Contribution to SDGs through CO₂ Reduction**
In 2023, to expand the use of domestically produced hardwoods, which often consist of small-diameter trees, Hida Sangyo established a new wood drying facility that utilizes hot spring heat, a local resource. This contributes to promoting the use of domestic timber, creating local employment, reducing CO₂ emissions, and fostering the circulation of forest resources.
*The "Okuhida Tochio Factory" utilizing hot spring heat*
**Establishment of Hida Craftsman Academy**
In 2014, the Hida Craftsman Academy, a general incorporated association, was established with the aim of training top-tier woodworking craftsmen and passing on cultural heritage to the next generation. To date, 34 furniture craftsmen have been produced.
*Hida Craftsman Academy students and Okada (center left)*
**Comment on Receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon**
Sanzo Okada
Representative Director and Chairman, Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
"It is a profound honor to receive the 'Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.' I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our employees, many individuals involved in the furniture industry, and all stakeholders who have supported us daily. Leveraging my experience in the furniture industry, I have worked on rebuilding our company, effectively utilizing resources, nurturing human talent, and contributing to the development of Japan's furniture industry through activities in industry organizations. I will continue to contribute to the development of the local woodworking industry and Japan's furniture industry."
**Sanzo Okada Profile**
Born July 25, 1943, in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
**Career History**
1968: Joined Fujiya Co., Ltd.
1969: Appointed Representative Director and President of Fujiya Co., Ltd.
1987: Appointed Part-time Auditor of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
1995: Appointed Representative Director and Vice President of Valor Co., Ltd.
1995: Became Owner of Yuhakukan
1999: Resigned from Valor Co., Ltd.
1999: Co-managed Hida Takayama Teddy Bear Eco Village
2000: Appointed Representative Director and President of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
2020: Appointed Chairman of the Japan Furniture Industry Promotion Association (General Incorporated Association)
2021: Appointed Representative Director and Chairman of Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
**About Hida Sangyo**
A woodworking furniture manufacturer founded in Hida Takayama in 1920. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020, the company upholds the vision "To make Hida a sacred place for woodworking with the spirit and skill of master craftsmen" and conducts business based on four values: "Thinking of people," "Passing on time," "Polishing skills," and "Walking with the forest."
Under the HIDA woodworking furniture brand, Hida Sangyo aims for sustainable manufacturing that connects to the future, based on these four values.
Corporate Message
Keywords: