2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama received the Japanese Prime Minister’s award on Friday for his impressive victory at Augusta National earlier this month.
Matsuyama’s efforts saw him become the first Japanese golfer to win a Major and first Asian golfer to claim the green jacket.
The 29-year-old won the low amateur title at the 2011 Masters just weeks after the earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors devastated the northeastern Fukushima area of Japan.
Matsuyama was hailed by the Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at a prestigious event in Tokyo for the encouragement he provided to the area.
‘You have continued to encourage the affected areas, marking the 10th anniversary of the disaster, and you have great courage,’ Suga said.
‘While contributing greatly to the progress of sports in Japan, the achievement of communicating the importance of efforts to all the people and giving them dreams and hopes is truly remarkable.’
