Mr. Kazuaki Tsuda, former Vice President of Suntory Limited (currently Suntory Holdings Limited) and Representative Secretary of the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives, passed away on December 2. Mr. Kazuaki Tsuda had warmly supported us since the foundation of Nanophoton, including giving a heartwarming toast at the 20th anniversary party of Nanophoton Corporation on November 2. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for his kindness during his lifetime and pray that he rests in peace.

On a personal note, Mr. Tsuda was a great friend of mine for many years through the Osaka University Business Association and the Rokko Conference (sponsored by IBM Japan). He is a senior colleague whom I respect very much. He always made the audience burst into laughter with his witty humor and witty tongue (The role of emcee was later passed to me.). I have very fond memories of him.

As he was the chairman of the Japan Arts Council, he invited me to Kabuki performances at the National Theatre of Japan every year and showed me around the stage, backstage, and into the abyss. As for Nanophoton, he always gave us encouragement and support in his key positions at the Osaka University Entrepreneurship Support Organization and Osaka University Venture Capital. I wrote “Dream of Amber” in this “From the Chairman’s Office” and reproduced it in our 20th anniversary magazine, which I am sure you would have read after the party. We did not have a chance to hear your comments on it. A giant star has indeed fallen. I am very sorry.

I am posting here a video of Mr. Tsuda’s toast at the 20th anniversary party.
All of us will keep Mr. Kazuaki Tsuda’s words in our hearts.

2 December, 2023
Nanophoton Corporation
Chairman and Representative, Satoshi Kawata

（Translated by DeepL）