French Government Honored NIMS President
President Jacques Chirac of France honored President Kishi by conferring the title of Officier de l'Ordre National du Merite (Officer of the National Order of Merit), the second-highest level of civilian award after the Legion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor).
The citation for this award recognized President Kishi’s longtime contribution to the development of France-Japan collaborations on nanotechnology and materials science by holding France -Japan workshops on nanomaterials and inviting a number of French scientists to NIMS and the University of Tokyo. The conferment ceremony was held on March 16, 2004 at the French Ambassador’s official residence in Minami-Azabu, Tokyo and the French Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Bernard de Montferrand, presented the award on behalf of President Chirac.
