Orders, decorations, and medals of Japan

Last updated
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum 001.jpg
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Order of the Chrysanthemum of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Order of the Chrysanthemum Japan.png
Order of the Chrysanthemum of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers 001.jpg
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers
Order of the Precious Crown Order of the Precious Crown end of 19th century Japan.jpg
Order of the Precious Crown
Order of the Golden Kite, 1st and 2nd class plaque Order of the Golden Kite 1st and 2nd class plaque.jpg
Order of the Golden Kite, 1st and 2nd class plaque

The Japanese honours system is a system implemented for rewarding awards to Japanese and non-Japanese persons for their achievements and service to Japan. The Emperor is the head of the honors system in Japan.

Contents

Established during the 1870s shortly after the Meiji Restoration, it was modelled on European systems of orders and decorations. The first order, the Imperial Order of Meiji, was established in 1875, and was later renamed as the Order of the Rising Sun. [1]

Overview

Orders and decorations in Japan consist of the conferral of honours and awards, medals, and titles (the latter abolished in 1947), which were established during the Meiji period as a system for the state to recognise individuals' achievements. [2]

The Decoration Bureau of the Cabinet Office is responsible for administrative duties relating to the conferment of awards, research on the honours system, and planning. [3] The awarding of honours is one of the prescribed constitutional functions of the Emperor of Japan, with the advice of the Cabinet. [4]

Recommendation system

Since 2003, the Government of Japan through the Decoration Bureau uses a recommendation system in members of the public can recommend candidates for the honours. [5]

Process

Recommendation from the public

  1. A recommender from the public submits an application to the Decoration Bureau. One recommender and two approvers are required for the application to be processed, with applications received throughout the year.
  2. Once an application is approved for review, the Decoration Bureau and relevant ministries and agencies conducts research and development.

Recommendations from ministries and agencies

  1. Ministries and/or government agencies submits an application to the Decoration Bureau.
  2. Request for discussions regarding the candidates at Cabinet meetings submitted.
  3. Information about potential recipients reported to the Emperor.
  4. Official announcement in media.

Current Orders

Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum

Established in 1876, this is the premier order of Japan, originally in one class (Grand Cordon) and expanded to two classes (Collar; Grand Cordon) in 1888. [1]

Order of the Paulownia Flowers

Established in 1888 as a Special Grand Cordon to the Order of the Rising Sun, it was later made a separate order in 2003. Ordinarily the highest regularly awarded honour, it is conferred in a single class (Grand Cordon); typically awarded to Japanese prime ministers, senior statesmen, select foreign heads of government, distinguished cabinet ministers and jurists. Until 1947, it was also awarded to distinguished military officers of the rank of General or higher, or its equivalents. [7]

Order of the Rising Sun

The order was established in 1875 as Japan's first order. [8] Awarded in nine classes prior to 2003: The Grand Cordon of the order is typically awarded to foreign heads of government, chairpersons of prominent international organizations and leading politicians, business leaders and diplomats. The second class is typically conferred upon prominent academics, politicians and military officers. The third through sixth classes are ordinarily conferred upon individuals who have made significant contributions to Japan in varying degrees. The 7th and 8th classes of the Order were abolished in 2003, and the Special First Class of the Order was renamed the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.

Order of the Sacred Treasure

This order was established in 1888 as the Imperial Order of Meiji in eight classes. Since the revision of the honours system in 2003, the Order of the Sacred Treasure has been awarded to civil servants for their long-term contributions. They include government and local officials, military personnel, scholars of national universities, and school teachers. For example, from 2014, the former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff is awarded Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure at the age of 70. The 7th and 8th classes were abolished in 2003.

Order of Culture

Established in 1937, this is a single-class order of merit to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to Japanese culture. Japanese Nobel Laureates are awarded the Order of Culture.

Order of the Precious Crown

Established in 1888 in five classes, the order expanded to seven classes in 1896. The 7th class of the order was abolished sometime after the Second World War. It was initially awarded to select foreigners who were not eligible for a higher honour but subsequently only awarded to women. From 2003, with the opening of the Order of the Rising Sun to Japanese women, the order has only been awarded to foreign females.

Medals of Honour

Established in 1881, the Medals of Honour honour individuals who have made distinguished achievements in their respective fields of society. The different medal categories can be seen below. [9]

Medals of current orders and their classes

The current types of Japanese orders, their classes and medals can be seen below. [10] [11]

Name (original name in Japanese above) and imageRemarks
大勲位菊花章
Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum 		The highest order of merit in Japan.
 大勲位菊花章頸飾
Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.png
大勲位菊花大綬章
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.png
桐花章
Order of the Paulownia Flowers 		The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun or the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure is awarded to persons who have distinguished themselves through their service or achievements.
 桐花大綬章
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.png
旭日章
Order of the Rising Sun 		Awarded to persons for their meritorious service to the state or the public.
 旭日大綬章
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.png
旭日重光章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.png
旭日中綬章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.png
旭日小綬章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.png
旭日双光章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays
The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.png
旭日単光章
Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays
The Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays.png
瑞宝章
Order of the Sacred Treasure 		Awarded to persons who have rendered years of meritorious service to the state or the public.
 瑞宝大綬章
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.png
瑞宝重光章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Star.png
瑞宝中綬章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.png
瑞宝小綬章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.png
瑞宝双光章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays.png
瑞宝単光章
Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays.png
文化勲章
Order of Culture
Order of Culture.png
Awarded to persons who have distinguished themselves in terms of cultural development.
宝冠章
Order of the Precious Crown 		Only women are eligible for the award. The award is given in special cases, such as ceremonial decorations for female members of the Imperial Family or foreign nationals.
 宝冠大綬章
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown.png
宝冠牡丹章
Order of the Precious Crown, Peony Class
The Order of the Precious Crown, Peony.png
宝冠白蝶章
Order of the Precious Crown, Butterfly Class
The Order of the Precious Crown, Butterfly.png
宝冠藤花章
Order of the Precious Crown, Wisteria Class
The Order of the Precious Crown, Wistaria.png
宝冠杏葉章
Order of the Precious Crown, Apricot Class
The Order of the Precious Crown, Apricot.png
宝冠波光章
Order of the Precious Crown, Ripple Class
The Order of the Precious Crown, Ripple.png

Conferral of decoration diplomas

Emperor Meiji's signature and State Seal of Japan. This State Seal was created in 1874 and is still in use today, and is affixed to all decoration diplomas of conferred orders. Gyomei kokuji.jpg
Emperor Meiji's signature and State Seal of Japan. This State Seal was created in 1874 and is still in use today, and is affixed to all decoration diplomas of conferred orders.

In addition to the decorations, the recipient to one of the orders is also awarded a decoration diploma. The diploma is a certificate bearing the name of the recipient, the name of the order awarded, the date of the award, the name of the awarding authority, etc., along with the State Seal of Japan. The text and content of the diploma according to the type of decoration. All the text in the diplomas is written vertically.

日本国天皇は　○ ○ ○ ○　に 　　○ ○ ○ ○　　を授与する 皇居においてみずから名を署し 璽をおさせる 御名国璽 令和○年○月○日 　　内閣総理大臣○○○○印 　　　内閣府賞勲局長○○○○印 第○○○○号


The Emperor of Japan will confer [name of the order] to [name of recipient].  At the Imperial Palace, you will be asked to sign and seal your name. Imperial Seal                                                                                                                                                       Reiwa YYYY MM DD      Prime Minister [name and personal seal]      Director-General, Cabinet Office Decoration Bureau [name and personal seal] Number XXXX
The Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, Order of the Rising Sun conferred to Czech photographer Zdenek Toma in 2017 03-Rad Vychazejiciho-slunce - cisarske osvedceni.jpg
The Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, Order of the Rising Sun conferred to Czech photographer Zdenek Toma in 2017 
日本国天皇は○ ○ ○ ○に 　 ○ ○ ○ ○　を授与する 皇居において璽をおさせる 国璽 令和○年○月○日 　　 内閣総理大臣○○○○印 　　　　 内閣府賞勲局長○○○○印 第○○○○号
The Emperor of Japan will confer [name of the order] to [name of recipient]. At the Imperial Palace, you will be asked to sign and seal your name. State Seal Reiwa YYYY MM DD      Prime Minister [name and personal seal]      Director-General, Cabinet Office Decoration Bureau [name and personal seal] Number XXXX

In cases where signature of the Emperor and State Seal is affixed at a location other than the Tokyo Imperial Palace, e.g., Akasaka Palace, the diplomas will reflect the change and use "Akasaka Palace" instead.

The National Printing Bureau, an independent administrative agency of the Government of Japan, handles papermaking and printing of the diplomas for the decoration. In addition to the text, signature, Imperial Seal, and State Seal mentioned above, the design of the awarded order is imprinted on the medal. This model is printed using the decalcomania technique. In this technique, a skilled craftsman manually adds colours to the transfer paper one by one, which takes several days. In addition, a chrysanthemum crest is printed just above the centre of the medal. This chrysanthemum crest was also created by applying pure gold powder after gold under-printing, and then performing blank pressing (embossing). [12]

Criteria for honours (Japanese nationals)

In order for Japanese nationals to be awarded, they must meet certain criteria specified by the Government of Japan. [13] [14]

Criteria for the conferral of orders
Grand Cordon, Supreme Order of the ChrysanthemumThe highest conferred honour given for exceptional merit
Grand Cordon, Order of the Paulownia FlowersFor an exemplary and distinguished level of merit
Grand Cordon, Order of the Rising SunFor highly distinguished national and/or public service
Grand Cordon, Order of the Sacred TreasureFor long and distinguished national and/or public service
Second - sixth classes, Order of the Rising SunFor those cited for outstanding achievement
Second - sixth classes, Order of the Sacred TreasureFor long and distinguished public service
Order of CultureFor particularly significant achievements in regards to the furthering of cultural development
Criteria for the Medals of Honour
Medal with Red RibbonAwarded to individuals who have risked their lives to save others
Medal with Green RibbonAwarded to morally remarkable individuals who have made voluntarily participated in saving society
Medal with Yellow RibbonAwarded to individuals who have become public role models
Medal with Purple RIbbonAwarded to individuals who have contributed to academic and artistic developments, improvements and achievements.
Medal with Blue RibbonAwarded to individuals who have made efforts in areas of public interest and welfare
Medal with Dark Blue RibbonAwarded to individuals who have made generous financial contributions for the good of the public

Statistics

As of November 2021, a total of 150,632 orders have been conferred upon living Japanese nationals since 2003, when the honours system was overhauled. These include 19 awards of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, 34,593 awards of the Order of the Rising Sun and 116,020 awards of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. [15] [note 1] Of those decorations, the Order of the Sacred Treasure (77.02% of the total, all classes) is the most commonly conferred decoration, followed by the Order of the Rising Sun (22.97% of the total, all classes). The Order of the Paulownia Flowers is conferred the most rarely, at only 0.13% of the total number of decorations awarded since 2003. [15]

Per class of decoration, excluding the Order of the Chrysanthemum, the breakdown of decorations awarded by level since 2003 is as follows:

Since 2003, the most commonly conferred decorations by class and level in the top five categories as of 2021 have been: [15]

  1. Silver Rays of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (40,564 awards; 26.93% of total)
  2. Gold and Silver Rays of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (38,268 awards; 25.40% of total)
  3. Gold Rays with Rosette of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (25,692 awards; 17.06% of total)
  4. Gold and Silver Rays of the Order of the Rising Sun (20,198 awards; 13.41% of total)
  5. Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (10,104 awards; 6.71% of total)

For the year 2021, 8,172 decorations were conferred in the following numbers upon living Japanese: [15]

Past system

2003 revision

In the system before the 2003 revision, titles consisted of two parts, the class number ( kuntō  [ ja ]) and the decoration. For example:

although their official English translations did not have these class numbers. [16] The 2003 revision removed the class part from the titles, thus:

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ The highest Japanese decoration, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, has not been conferred upon a living Japanese national who is not a member of the Imperial Family since 1997, when former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone was decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Japan</span> Head of government of Japan

The prime minister of Japan is the head of government and the highest political position of Japan. The prime minister chairs the Cabinet of Japan and has the ability to select and dismiss its ministers of state. The prime minister also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Japan Self Defence Forces and is a sitting member of either house of the National Diet. The current prime minister is Fumio Kishida of the Liberal Democratic Party, who assumed the office on 4 October 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senjūrō Hayashi</span> Japanese politician and general (1876–1943)

Senjūrō Hayashi was a Japanese politician and general. He served as Imperial Japanese Army Commander of the Japanese Korean Army during the Mukden Incident and the invasion of Manchuria. He briefly served as prime minister of Japan in 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Leopold (Belgium)</span> Belgian national honorary order of knighthood

The Order of Leopold is one of the three current Belgian national honorary orders of knighthood. It is the oldest and highest order of Belgium and is named in honour of its founder, King Leopold I. It consists of a military, a maritime and a civil division. The maritime division is only awarded to personnel of the merchant navy, and the military division to military personnel. The decoration was established on 11 July 1832 and is awarded by Royal decree.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Orange-Nassau</span> Dutch order of chivalry

The Order of Orange-Nassau is a civil and military Dutch order of chivalry founded on 4 April 1892 by the queen regent, Emma of the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Rising Sun</span> Japanese order

The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the "rising sun" concept of Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Sacred Treasure</span> Honor bestowed by the government of Japan

The Order of the Sacred Treasure is a Japanese order, established on 4 January 1888 by Emperor Meiji as the Order of Meiji. Originally awarded in eight classes, since 2003 it has been awarded in six classes, the lowest two medals being abolished that year. Originally a male-only decoration, the order has been made available to women since 1919.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Culture</span>

The Order of Culture is a Japanese order, established on February 11, 1937. The order has one class only, and may be awarded to men and women for contributions to Japan's art, literature, science, technology, or anything related to culture in general; recipients of the order also receive an annuity for life. The order is conferred by the Emperor of Japan in person on Culture Day each year. It is considered equivalent to the highest rank of the Order of the Rising Sun, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and the Order of the Precious Crown. The only orders that Japanese emperors bestow on recipients by their own hands are the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the Grand Cordon of each order, and the Order of Culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Precious Crown</span> Japanese order

The Order of the Precious Crown is a Japanese order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. Since the Order of the Rising Sun at that time was an Order for men, it was established as an Order for women. Originally the order had five classes, but on April 13, 1896 the sixth, seventh and eighth classes were added.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Netherlands Lion</span> Dutch order of chivalry

The Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, also known as the Order of the Netherlands Lion is a Dutch order of chivalry founded by King Willem I of the Netherlands on 29 September 1815.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medals of Honor (Japan)</span> Decoration by the Government of Japan

Medals of Honor are medals awarded by the Emperor of Japan. They are awarded to individuals who have done meritorious deeds and also to those who have achieved excellence in their field of work. The Medals of Honor were established on December 7, 1881, and were first awarded the following year. Several expansions and amendments have been made since then. The medal design for all six types is the same, bearing the stylized characters 褒章 on a gilt central disc surrounded by a silver ring of cherry blossoms on the obverse; only the colors of the ribbon differ.

Order of Beneficience is the name given to two different orders in Greece. One of them is conferred by the Greek royal family, and the other is conferred by the Greek government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fumio Gotō</span> Japanese politician (1884–1980)

Fumio Gotō ) was a Japanese politician and bureaucrat, and briefly served as interim Prime Minister of Japan in 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Paulownia Flowers</span> Japanese order

The Order of the Paulownia Flowers is an order presented by the Japanese government. The award was established in 1888 during the Meiji Restoration as the highest award in the Order of the Rising Sun and has been an Order in its own right since 2003. The only grade of the order is Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, which ranks higher than the Order of the Rising Sun, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, the Order of the Precious Crown, and the Order of Culture and lower than the Order of the Chrysanthemum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Chula Chom Klao</span> Thai chivalric order

The Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao was established on 16 November 1873 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam to commemorate the 90th Jubilee of the Chakri Dynasty and bears his name. The pink colour reflects the Tuesday birthday colour for King Rama V.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of the Seal of Solomon</span> Ethiopian order of knighthood

The Order of the Seal of Solomon is an order of knighthood of the Ethiopian Empire, founded by Emperor Yohannes IV in 1874 as the highest imperial honour, containing five grades. In 1930, an even higher Order was established, i.e. the Order of Solomon, which was a split off from the Order of the Seal of Solomon. The Order was conferred on members of imperial house and upon persons who had rendered meritorious services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Muhammad Ali</span>

The Royal Order of Muhammad Ali was an order of chivalry and state honour in the Kingdom of Egypt.

Eiichi Nishimura was a Japanese politician, who served in the Ikeda, Satō, Tanaka and Fukuda cabinets, and was the first to be appointed to the post of Director of the National Land Agency. Within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), he held influence in the Satō and Tanaka factions, becoming known as the "king's counselor", or the one able to speak his mind with ease.

Tomio Fukuoka (福岡富雄) is a Japanese educator and Academian. He is the Founder/Chairman of Kobe Denshi and Graduate School of Information Technology (KIC).

References

  1. 1 2 "Supreme Orders of the Chrysanthemum".
  2. ↑ Iwakura, N, & Fujigashi, J (January 1965). 日本の勲章-日本の表彰制度 (trans., Japanese Medals: Japan's Commendation System). Daiichi Hoki Publishing.
  3. ↑ "Decorations and Medals in Japan - Cabinet Office Home Page". www8.cao.go.jp. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  4. ↑ Decoration Bureau. "Decorations and medals: Praising the glory". Cabinet Office. Retrieved from https://www.cao.go.jp/en/pmf/pmf_8.pdf.
  5. ↑ Decoration Bureau. "Decorations and medals: Praising the glory", p.1. Cabinet Office. Retrieved from https://www.cao.go.jp/en/pmf/pmf_8.pdf .
  6. ↑ "Japan honors ex-PM Abe with highest decoration, wake held in Tokyo".
  7. ↑ Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers
  8. ↑ Orders of the Rising Sun
  9. ↑ Decoration Bureau. "Decorations and medals: Praising the glory", p. 2. Cabinet Office. Retrieved from https://www.cao.go.jp/en/pmf/pmf_8.pdf .
  10. ↑ "勲章の種類及び授与対象 : 日本の勲章・褒章 - 内閣府". www8.cao.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  11. ↑ "勲章及び褒章の英訳名 : 日本の勲章・褒章 - 内閣府". www8.cao.go.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  12. ↑ Sato, Masaki (2007). Medals and honours. Jiji Gahosha.
  13. ↑ "勲章の種類及び授与対象" (in Japanese).
  14. ↑ Decoration Bureau. "Decorations and medals: Praising the glory", p. 2. Cabinet Office. Retrieved from https://www.cao.go.jp/en/pmf/pmf_8.pdf .
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Cabinet Office Decorations and Medals Bureau. "春秋叙勲受章者数（勲章別、年別、春秋別）（平成15年～）" (PDF) (in Japanese). Retrieved 2016-03-12.
  16. 1 2 3 4 勲章及び褒章の英訳名 [English translations of Orders and Honours]. Cabinet Office, Government of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2003-02-19. (pre-2003 codes)
  17. 1 2 3 勲章及び褒章の英訳名 [English translations of Orders and Honours]. Cabinet Office, Government of Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2003-12-11. (post-2003 codes)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.