On October 11^th, President of Toray Industries, Mr. Akihiro Nikkaku received in Paris, on behalf of President of the French Republic, the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honour from Mr. René Ricarrère, Honorary Mayor of Orthez, former Vice President the Aquitaine Regional Council, and officer of the Legion of Honour, in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador in France, Mr. Masato Kitera.

Almost 140 people attended the ceremony, including some major customers of Toray Carbon Fibers Europe and Toray Films Europe as well as political figures of the two regions where the group is present in France.

In his speech, Mr. Ricarrère recalled the major investments made in France by the Toray Group through its subsidiaries and has highlighted the potential for excellence offered by the Lacq basin for future projects of the Toray group.

He also touched on this occasion a message from Prime Minister Manuel Valls who praised the commitment of President Nikkaku for France and invited him to continue and strengthen this remarkable cooperation.

Mr. Nikkaku emphasized the immense privilege that represents for him this distinction and sees an encouragement to continue to work towards the development of Toray's operations in France and the promotion of Franco-Japanese exchanges.

He further wished to associate with this Legion of Honour 45 000 employees of the Toray group in the world and especially all the staff of the French subsidiaries of Toray: CFE (Abidos, Lacq, Paris sites) and TFE (St Maurice de Beynost), France being one of the most important countries in the framework of Toray’s international strategy.