IRIS OHYAMA Inc. Representative Director Kentaro Ohyama has received the National Order of Merit Chevalier from the government of the French Republic. The order, founded in 1963, is awarded to French nationals or foreigners who have made "distinguished contributions to France in the areas of cultural and economic activities." The medal was awarded by French Ambassador to Japan Philippe Setton at a ceremony held in Tokyo on Wednesday, February 2, at the residence of the French envoy. Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202202077077-O1-VFp9ThFp Photo1: Representative Director Kentaro Ohyama (left) and French Ambassador to Japan Philippe Setton https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104427/202202077077/_prw_PI2fl_MO0m9Sib.jpg Photo2: Representative Director Kentaro Ohyama delivering acceptance speech https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104427/202202077077/_prw_PI3fl_l3nqtUU8.jpg IRIS OHYAMA, based in Sendai, Japan, established a factory in the Netherlands in 1998 and another in France in 2019 as its second base in Europe. In France, the company has since been actively making capital investments and hiring personnel as a manufacturer and distributor of household products. In 2020, it began local production of face masks and built a stable supply system of the products in Europe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The order was awarded in appreciation of these contributions to the economic development and job creation in France. From Kentaro Ohyama "I am truly honored to receive this honorable award. I would like to further contribute to the economic and cultural exchange between Japan and France while working together with the French government and the people of France. The face masks appraised this time are just one example, but we will continue to make efforts to expand the production and supply system in France in response to the ongoing instability of the global sourcing. We will not only continue to contribute to the economic and corporate practices in France worthy of this award, but also actively support activities in terms of culture and art, such as excellent food, music and content of both countries and strive to assist with the exchange between France and Japan." About IRIS OHYAMA Inc. IRIS OHYAMA is a Japanese family group created in 1958 by Morisuke Ohyama, with recognized expertise in the manufacture of everyday products. The activity integrates the home storage equipment and item markets, small furniture, lighting, hygiene, pet accessories, etc. The group, originally specialized in plastic products, is the creator of the first transparent plastic storage box. IRIS OHYAMA has greatly diversified since. The key objective: to combine functionality and design for products with a competitive price and quality ratio. The group is operating in Japan, China, South Korea, the USA and Europe with sites dedicated to production and distribution. Website (French): https://www.irisohyama.fr/ Source: IRIS OHYAMA Inc.