Akira Murata (b. March 25, 1921 in Higashiyama, Kyoto

Kyoto

is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...

 - February 3, 2006) is the founder of Murata Manufacturing

Murata Manufacturing

is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic components, based in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto.Honorary Chairman Akira Murata started Murata Manufacturing as a personal venture in October, 1944. On December, 1950 reorganized the company into Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd...

. He was the President/Statutory Representative Director from 1950 to 1991. Since 1995 he has held the position of Honorary Chairman.

Murata was honored in 1980 with the Medal with Blue Ribbon of Japan (Ranju Hosho). In 1986, he was honored with the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany First Class (Bundesverdienstkreuz

Bundesverdienstkreuz

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany. It has existed since 7 September 1951, and between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year across all classes...

 Erster Klasse). He was further honored in 1993 with the Order of the Sacred Treasure

Order of the Sacred Treasure

The is a Japanese Order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan as the Order of Meiji. It is awarded in eight classes . It is generally awarded for long and/or meritorious service and considered to be the lowest of the Japanese orders of merit...

, Gold and Silver Star of Japan (Kun-ni-to Zuihosho).