Pfizer Chairman Hank McKinnell receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun Decoration from Emperor Akihito

Pfizer Inc. Chairman and Vancouver native Dr. Hank McKinnell was decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from his Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito. Dr. McKinnell is one of the first non-Japanese citizens to receive the Order from His Majesty in person.

Pfizer Chairman Hank Mckinnell Honoured with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun

McKinnell was presented with the honour primarily due to his role as Chairman of the Business Roundtable - working to strengthen the economic relationship between Japan and the U.S. He has been a tireless advocate of foreign investment in Japan and worked closely with the Japanese government’s investment development authorities to improve Japan’s investment climate by personally endorsing investment in Japan in a government-sponsored publicity campaign aimed at potential investors.

McKinnell has also contributed significantly to the improvement of healthcare in Japan as a founding member of the STS Forum, an international forum for science, technology and the future of human health and wellness. Hank McKinnell is currently serving as the chairman of Pfizer.

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