Oct. 23, 2026
Daiwabo Holdings Co., Ltd.

 

We, Daiwabo Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; Representative Director, President and CEO: Yukihiro NISHIMURA), on behalf of the Group, are pleased to announce that professional golfer Ayako OKAMOTO, whom the Group has supported as a sponsor for approximately 50 years since she turned professional in 1975, has been selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology as a "Person of Cultural Merit" (Bunka Korosha) for the fiscal year 2026. All of us in the Group would like to express our heartfelt congratulations on this prestigious honor.

 

1. Achievements of Ayako OKAMOTO
Ayako OKAMOTO has achieved numerous brilliant victories in professional golf tours both in Japan and overseas. As a pioneer of Japanese women's golf, she blazed a trail on the world stage, becoming the first international player to win the LPGA (U.S. Women's Professional Golf Association) money title in 1987.
Even after retiring from competitive tours, she has continued to dedicate herself to coaching and mentoring the next generation, as well as promoting and developing golf culture. This selection recognizes her significant, long-standing contributions to the promotion of sports and to society.

 

2. Our Support Activities
Deeply resonating with Ms. OKAMOTO’s fearless spirit in blazing new trails and her dedication to contributing to society through golf, the Group has continuously supported her as a sponsor for many years.
Under our purpose of "Connecting people and society to the future with our value chain," the Group pays tribute to Ms. OKAMOTO’s tireless journey and will continue to contribute to the realization of an enriched society.
 

3. Congratulatory Message from Yukihiro NISHIMURA, Representative Director, President and CEO

"I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations to Ms. Ayako OKAMOTO on being selected as a Person of Cultural Merit.
The Group has been proud to support her journey for approximately 50 years, ever since she turned professional, as she continued to challenge herself at the forefront of the sport both domestically and internationally. We are immensely delighted that her indomitable spirit and significant contributions to the promotion of sports culture through the development of the next generation have received such high acclaim. We pay our deepest respect to Ms. OKAMOTO's journey thus far and wish her continued health and success in the future."