On January 31, a press conference was held at the French Ambassador's Residence to announce the "2014 Program of the French Embassy in Japan/Institut Français du Japon" and the "90th Anniversary of Franco-Japanese Cultural Cooperation." The Maison Franco-Japonais, founded on March 7, 1924, by Eiichi Shibusawa and Paul Claudel, the French Ambassador to Japan, will celebrate its 90th anniversary this spring. Speaking at the press conference, Christian Massé, the French Ambassador to Japan, stated, "The establishment of the Maison Franco-Japonais has fostered cultural exchange between Japan and France. We are considering 2014 as a cultural year and have prepared many events." Koichiro Matsuura, Chairman of the Maison Franco-Japonais, said, "Cultural exchange has occupied the most important position in the long history of Japan-France relations. I am pleased to have received France's full cooperation for the past 90 years in promoting this exchange." To commemorate the anniversary, 130 projects and 250 events are planned across Japan this year, ranging from large-scale events such as "Fruits of Passion: The Pompidou Centre Collection," currently on view at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, "Musée d'Orsay: The Birth of Impressionism: The Freedom of Painting" at the National Art Center, Tokyo, "Kyotographie," a second Kyoto-based exhibition showcasing works by renowned Japanese and international photographers, and the Paris National Opera Ballet's Japan tour. The projects will cover a wide range of fields, including art, performing arts, French literature, film, science, music, and gastronomy, and will be carried out in collaboration with various institutions and private companies. Additionally, the Study in France Japan promotional tour, which was successfully held at 15 universities last year, will be held again this year. Public relations and partnerships will be strengthened. At the reception held after the press conference, the establishment of a Literary Translation Award to honor the achievements of translators was announced, with Paris-based translator Ryoko Sekiguchi selected as the first recipient.