Awards
Medal with a Yellow Ribbon and Contemporary Master Craftsmen
The Medal with a Yellow Ribbon
The Japanese government confers medals of honor on individuals who are recognized for having made significant contributions to society or culture. The six types of medals are distinguished by the color of the ribbon (red, green, yellow, purple, blue, and dark blue). Each color signifies contributions in a different field. The Medal with a Yellow Ribbon is awarded to individuals who, through their diligence and perseverance while engaging in their professional activities, became public role models.
Ikukiyo Komatsu
After capturing a gold medal in Watch Repair at the 28th WorldSkills Competition in 1985, Komatsu became an instructor and has helped a succession of people win or place in the Watch Repair event. His proven skills and achievements make him a leading figure in the instruction and development of watch technicians.
He has served on the national skills testing and certification committee for watch repair managed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as well as on the WorldSkills competition committee for watch repair. He has contributed tremendously to the advance of the watch industry and to the preservation and improvement of horological knowledge and skills.
Komatsu has also made substantial contribution to the community and to youth education, having conducted watch assembly workshops for many years at elementary schools and at various events to communicate the joy and fulfillment of monozukuri.
Career Highlights
1982Joined Hamazawa Kogyo (now Seiko Epson)
1985Captured the gold medal in watch repair at the 23rd National Skills Competition
1985Captured the gold medal in watch repair at the 28th WorldSkills Competition
2010Awarded the title "Shinshu Master Craftsman" by the Nagano Prefectural Governor
2014Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2015Certified as a "Monozukuri Meister" by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
2019Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
2019 Award Recipient
Ikukiyo Komatsu
Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Repair)
2018 Award Recipient
Katsumi Nakata
Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Repair)
Katsumi Nakata
Nakata, who has sought to attain mastery in the field of luxury watch assembly, contributed to the establishment of assembly technology and to the development of those following in his footsteps. He is currently working as a Certified Assembly Technician and is recognized for his skill, particularly in the assembly of Spring Drive Minute Repeater wristwatches*.
Career Highlights
1982Joined Suwa Seikosha (now Seiko Epson)
1984Captured the gold medal in watch repair at the 22nd National Skills Competition
2008Awarded the title "Shinshu Master Craftsman" by the Nagano Prefectural Governor
2010Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2018Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
* A minute repeater is a mechanism that mechanically sounds the hours and minutes.
Yoshifusa Nakazawa
Nakazawa, who has sought to attain mastery in the field of luxury watch assembly, contributed to the establishment of assembly technology and to the development of those following in his footsteps. He captured a gold medal in the watch repair at the 1981 WorldSkills Competition held in America. For many years he was a full-time assembler of the world's thinnest movements*1 for quartz watches. He is currently earning recognition particularly for his skill in assembling Spring Drive sonnerie wristwatches*2.
Career Highlights
1978Joined Suwa Seikosha (now Seiko Epson)
1981Captured the gold medal in watch repair at the 26th WorldSkills Competition
2006Awarded the title "Shinshu Master Craftsman" by the Nagano Prefectural Governor
2008Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2009Monozukuri Nippon Grand Award Prime Minister Award
2015Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
*1 Thinnest movements at that time, in 1989
*2 A sonnerie is a mechanism that chimes on the hour every hour.
2015 Award Recipient
Yoshifusa Nakazawa
Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Repair)
2011 Award Recipient
Koichi Shibata
Certified Mold Assembly and Finishing Technician
Certified Injection Molding Technician
Koichi Shibata
For many years Shibata has contributed to the safe operation of the world's largest synthetic crystal growth furnaces by devoting himself to the precision hand-finishing of sealing surfaces on these high-temperature, high-pressure autoclaves. He has also significantly contributed to the professional development of those following in his footsteps by providing instruction to young employees in the global Epson Group and by lecturing and coaching students at local industrial high schools.
Career Highlights
2000Joined Seiko Epson
2006Awarded the title of Master Craftsman by Aomori prefecture
2008Certified as an Aomori Meister (Manufacturing Process Management)
2010Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2011Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
Kazuo Takeoka
Takeoka captured a gold medal in watch repair at the 1977 WorldSkills Competition held in the Netherlands. While applying his knowledge and skills to contribute to the development of the watch business, he has dedicated himself to the development of the younger generation. He played a central role in launching the Shinshu Watch Repair Master Craftsman certification system in Nagano prefecture. He currently is active in the Japan Clock & Watch Association in efforts to promote skills in the domestic industry.
Career Highlights
1975Joined Shimauchi Seiki (now Seiko Epson)
1977Joined Shimauchi Seiki (now Seiko Epson)
2006Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2010Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
2006 Award Recipient
Kazuo Takeoka
Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment)
2005 Award Recipient
Kenji Shiohara
Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment)
Kenji Shiohara
Shiohara captured a gold medal in watch repair at the 1979 WorldSkills Competition held in Ireland. Later, he actively instructed and developed certified skilled workers by serving as a member of the Nagano Prefecture Watch Skills Certification Committee. In 2000, he set up the Micro Artist Studio, where he contributes to the development of preeminent products and the passing on of traditional skills.
Career Highlights
1976Joined Shimauchi Seiki (now Seiko Epson)
1979Captured the gold medal in watch repair at the 25th WorldSkills Competition
2003Designated a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Japanese government
2005Awarded the Medal with a Yellow Ribbon by the Japanese government
Other recipients
| Year Awarded | Name | Trade Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Takashi | Watch technician |
| 2016 | Takashi Iimori | Certified Mold Assembly and Finishing Technician, and Certified Injection Molding Technician |
Contemporary Master Craftsmen
Once a year, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare selects individuals who have earned the designation of Contemporary Master Craftsman under an award system that was established in 1967 to foster respect for the skilled trades and to improve the social status and skills of tradesmen.
Individuals who demonstrate outstanding technical skill in certain industrial categories such as metalworking and machinery and equipment assembly and repair are eligible.
| Name | Year Awarded | Trade Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Kiyoko Nakayama | 1971 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Tokuichi Inagaki | 1973 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Isao Tanaka | 1984 | Certified Lathe Technician |
| Kenichi Koike | 1987 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Sachio Kamano | 1988 | Certified Machine Finishing Technician |
| Senji Hosoya | 1991 | Other Machine and Appliance Assembly Technician |
| Tsuneo Iezuka | 1998 | Certified Machine Inspection Technician |
| Masashi Kamata | 2001 | Other Machine and Appliance Assembly Technician |
| Kenji Shiohara | 2003 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Takeshi Kitazawa | 2005 | Certified Numerically Controlled Metal Cutting Machine Tool Technician |
| Kazuo Takeoka | 2006 | Certified Mechanical Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Mitsuo Hara | 2006 | Certified Machinery and Equipment Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Sadaaki Sakai | 2007 | Other Machine and Appliance Assembly Technician |
| Yoshifusa Nakazawa | 2008 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Takashi Iimori | 2008 | Certified Mold Finishing Technician |
| Katsumi Nakata | 2010 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
| Kenji Sakurai | 2010 | Industrial Machinery Assembly Technician |
| Koichi Shibata | 2010 | Certified Metal Hand-Finishing Technician |
| Ikukiyo Komatsu | 2014 | Certified Watch Technician (Assembly and Adjustment) |
Official Account
