News
Conferment Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on
Mr. Thomas André Leysen
18/12/2015 On December 18, the Conferment Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on Mr. Thomas André Leysen, President of Umicore N.V./S.A., Former President of the Belgium-Japan Association and Chamber of Commerce (BJA), was held at the Official Residence of Ambassador ISHII. Ambassador ISHII expressed his deepest gratitude to Mr. Leysen for his contributions to Japan as well as to the friendship between Japan and Belgium, introducing to him congratulatory messages with his close relatives and friends.
As a President of BJA from 2007 until 2014, Mr. Leysen contributed to business exchanges between Belgium and Japan by organizing seminars and other initiatives for improving business environment and promoting networking.
Mr. Leysen also contributed to human exchange between two countries’ citizens. Just as an example, he personally and as a President of BJA as well, called for donations for disaster relief in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, resulting in 315,196.27 Euros to Japan Red Cross.
As a CEO and President of Umicore, Mr. Leysen has also contributed to Japanese economy through the group’s investment in Japan and a joint venture with a Japanese company.
