Rally Driver Hiroshi Masuoka Receives the Person of Sports Merit Award in Japan
TOKYO, Jan 31, 2025 – (JCN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (hereafter, Mitsubishi Motors) is proud to announce that Hiroshi Masuoka, a Mitsubishi Motors rally driver, has received the person of sports merit award by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan on January 29. This prestigious award is offered to athletes, coaches, and others who have played an active role in the advancement of professional sports in Japan and have achieved exceptional results in the world of sports.The Ministry honored Masuoka for his outstanding achievements in motorsports and his contributions to society. As a rally driver, he has achieved phenomenal success, becoming the first Japanese driver to claim two consecutive wins at the Dakar Rally, known as the world’s most grueling rally, in 2002 and 2003 with the Mitsubishi Pajero. Masuoka also leverages his expertise gained through his motorsports activities to the development of electrified vehicles, and actively contr…