Ambassador’s Commendation – Mr. Antoine Boukather 29 June 2026
2026/6/29
On 29 June, Ambassador YOKOTA Kenji awarded the Ambassador’s Commendation to Mr. Antoine Boukather, Honorary President of A.N. Boukather Holding.
Mr. Boukather has played a pioneering role in promoting Japanese automobiles in Lebanon. In 1967, he led the introduction of Mazda vehicles to the Lebanese market, and on 1 July 1968, A.N. Boukather concluded the official distributorship agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation, then known as Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
For nearly six decades, Mr. Boukather has contributed to strengthening Japan-Lebanon economic relations by promoting confidence in the quality and reliability of Japanese automobiles. Through his leadership, Mazda has established itself as one of the major automotive brands in Lebanon, and the longstanding partnership between the Boukather family and Mazda has become one of the most enduring relationships within Mazda’s global network.
Mr. Boukather also served as President of the Association of Automobile Importers in Lebanon from 2014 to 2018, contributing to the development of the automotive sector and to the promotion of high business standards in Lebanon.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Yokota praised Mr. Boukather’s longstanding commitment to Japan and expressed his appreciation for his contribution to strengthening the friendship and economic ties between Japan and Lebanon.
In response, Mr. Boukather expressed his gratitude for the commendation and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Japan and Lebanon.
Mr. Boukather has played a pioneering role in promoting Japanese automobiles in Lebanon. In 1967, he led the introduction of Mazda vehicles to the Lebanese market, and on 1 July 1968, A.N. Boukather concluded the official distributorship agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation, then known as Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
For nearly six decades, Mr. Boukather has contributed to strengthening Japan-Lebanon economic relations by promoting confidence in the quality and reliability of Japanese automobiles. Through his leadership, Mazda has established itself as one of the major automotive brands in Lebanon, and the longstanding partnership between the Boukather family and Mazda has become one of the most enduring relationships within Mazda’s global network.
Mr. Boukather also served as President of the Association of Automobile Importers in Lebanon from 2014 to 2018, contributing to the development of the automotive sector and to the promotion of high business standards in Lebanon.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Yokota praised Mr. Boukather’s longstanding commitment to Japan and expressed his appreciation for his contribution to strengthening the friendship and economic ties between Japan and Lebanon.
In response, Mr. Boukather expressed his gratitude for the commendation and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening the longstanding friendship between Japan and Lebanon.