KAWAI PRESIDENT RECEIVES ORDER OF MERIT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND

Tokyo, Japan • April, 2010 – The president of Kawai Musical Instruments, Hirotaka Kawai, has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in a ceremony held on April 26, 2010 at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo, Japan.

Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth, the Order of Merit was awarded to Mr Kawai for his company’s continued support of the Chopin Society of Japan, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In addition, Kawai Musical Instruments serves to promote the music of Chopin through the organization of over 2000 concerts held throughout Japan. Kawai also provides the official concert grand piano for the prestigious International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in Warsaw, Poland.

Established in 1974, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is the country’s highest decoration awarded to foreigners and Polish residents abroad. The Order recognizes an individual’s distinguished contribution to cooperation between Poland and other countries in the fields of economics, science, culture, and welfare.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hirotaka Kawai expressed his great pride in receiving the prestigious honor previously bestowed upon his late father and former Kawai company president, Shigeru Kawai. Mr. Kawai added, “Chopin's music will continue to grow in popularity, fostering friendly relations between Japan and Poland”.