Japanese Government Award for Maruti Maruti Udyog Limited on 15th Sep'05 received a commendation from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan, for its role in promoting Japanese brands in India. Jagdish Khattar, Managing Director, Maruti Udyog Limited received the award from His Excellency, Yasukuni Enoki, the Japanese ambassador to India, on behalf of His Excellency Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, at a ceremony. MITI is recognising companies, in Japan and overseas, which promote Japanese brands and services in overseas markets. In all, six companies have been awarded the commendation this year for promoting Japanese brands. While four companies are Japan based, Maruti is one of only two companies outside Japan that have received the commendation this year. In the citation, Shoichi Nakagawa, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, noted, "In recognition of your efforts to build an excellent reputation for Japanese products and services overseas, and your outstanding contribution to the promotion of Japanese brands, and in grateful appreciation of your unparalleled record of achievements, we are honoured to present you with this certificate of commendation." Meanwhile, MUL has announced an increase in prices of its models. The increase varies from 0.2 per cent to 1 per cent. The price increase is due to increase in freight costs, which went up following the rise in oil prices. The company has decided to pass on only a part of the impact on increase in freight costs and other input costs to the customers. It is indicated that another price revision may be undertaken at the end of the year. There is no change in the prices of Swift.