Junko Adachi Awarded the Legion of Honor

On June 22, Junko Adachi, HEC Paris’s representative in Japan, was promoted to the rank of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor. This distinction recognizes her decades of commitment to fostering closer ties between France and Japan, particularly in the fields of higher education and academic cooperation.

Junko Adachi received the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor at the French Residence in Tokyo from Her Excellency Ms. Béatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, French Ambassador to Japan. Attended by more than 70 guests from the academic and business communities, the ceremony also featured a speech by actor Jean Reno, a longtime friend.

« France is my second home »

Since 2004, Junko Adachi has been working to expand HEC Paris’s presence and influence in Japan. Her connection with France, however, began long before that. After gaining professional experience at various organizations, notably the French Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Japan, Lille, and Paris, she gradually built a career focused on fostering exchanges between two countries whose cultural and historical richness she admires.

She has played a key role in driving profound changes in academic relations between HEC Paris and Japanese universities. Among the achievements particularly close to her heart is the establishment of the partnership with the University of Tokyo, the result of a long process of dialogue and trust-building. Starting with Hitotsubashi University, the School’s first Japanese academic partner, the network of academic partners has expanded over the years to include institutions such as Keio University and Kyoto University.

A mission that extends beyond institutional boundaries

Drawn to “the creativity, flexibility, and imagination” that she believes characterize French society, she has learned over the years to navigate the nuances of both cultures. This dual understanding now gives her the ability to serve as a true bridge between the French and Japanese communities.

She finds her greatest satisfaction in supporting younger generations, whether Japanese students discovering HEC Paris or French students going on a exchange semesters in Japan. Convinced of the essential role of higher education in bringing cultures together, she advises students to go abroad as soon as possible to gain international experience and a better understanding of the world.

Her commitment to the HEC community in Japan is just as strong. Over time, she has helped build and lead a particularly dynamic alumni network, regularly organizing gatherings that foster connections among graduates, students, and the School’s partners.

This decoration she received reflects the impact of her commitment to fostering relations between France and Japan. Yet, when she speaks of it, her humility remains intact. Far from seeing it as the culmination of a career, Junko views it as an encouragement to continue her work promoting exchanges between the two countries.