ASICS President andCEO Motoi Oyama to be conferred with Netherlands Honor - ‘Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau’

ASICS announces that ASICS President and CEO, Motoi OYAMA, has been appointed with the Royal Netherlands decoration of ‘Officer in the Order of Oranje-Nassau’.

The honor is in recognition of Mr. Oyama’s and ASICS’ contributions to the relationship between the Netherlands and Japan.ASICS established its central base for European activities in the Netherlands, contributing to the economic development of both the Netherlands and Japan. Mr. Oyama and ASICS also contributed to cultural and sport related exchanges.

In addition, ASICS a long-lasting relationship with The Netherlands, being the official Olympic supplier since 1994, supporting the National Athletics Federation and working in partnership with individual big-name athletes, such as Nelli Cooman.

The Netherlands Minister of Economic Affairs H.E.Henk Kamp presented the award during a ceremony at the residence of the Netherlands Ambassador in Tokyo on October 30 2014. The decoration was conferred during the week of the State visit by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands to Japan.

【Comment by ASICS President and CEO Oyama】This is a great honor, and I am extremely delighted. It is my understanding that ASICS is being recognized for its past efforts. I look forward to continuing the great relationship and ASICS contributing to the economic development of the Netherlands and Japan, as well as to cultural exchange.

Nearly 40 years have passed since ASICS began to expand actively in Europe. The company’s high-performance shoes and apparel in particular have proven popular, and are widely worn by both top athletes and weekend sports lovers alike.

ASICS established its first European base in 1975 in Germany. Thereafter, ASICS has expanded its presence, establishing bases in France (1990), the Netherlands (1991), Italy (1991), and England (1992). In 1994, ASICS established its central European headquarters in the Netherlands (Hoofddorp), hosting marketing, sales, product, accounting, retail divisions. Today, the European (and Benelux) office employ over 200 people

As an official project partner to the Netherlands Olympic Committee, ASICS has supported the committee’s activities since 1994 .

President and CEO Oyama served as Managing Director of ASICS Europe B.V. in 2001 before becoming Chairman of the Board in 2005. He has had a long relationship with the Netherlands and has been actively involved in the economic development of the Netherlands and Japan as well as in cultural exchanges.

※The Order of Oranje-Nassau
The Order of Oranje-Nassau was created in 1892 as the most prestigious honor in the Netherlands. The honor is conferred to persons who have “earned special merits for society” over time.