Society

Designer Koshino Junko awarded Legion of Honor

May 19 (NHK) - World-renowned fashion designer Koshino Junko has been awarded France's highest order of merit, the Legion of Honor.

French Ambassador to Japan Philippe Setton presented Koshino with the award in a ceremony at his official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Koshino was made a chevalier, one of the award's five ranks, for her contributions to cultural exchange between Japan and France.

Koshino, a native of Osaka in western Japan, showed one of her collections in Paris for the first time in 1978. She has since held fashion shows around the world. She has also been involved in designing various types of products, and has been active in promoting Japanese culture overseas.

In the ceremony, Setton said Koshino has served as a bridge between Japan and France through her outstanding work and personality.

Koshino responded by saying that she is very happy. She said she's worked in the field of culture and art in a place she admires, Paris, and made wonderful French friends. She said she hopes to continue fostering cultural exchange between Japan and France.

After the ceremony, Koshino said she was honored to receive the award and felt encouraged to continue her work. She went on to say that she also wants to promote exchanges with France in fields other than fashion.

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