Orders, decorations, and medals of Japan
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| Orders, decorations, and medals of Japan | |
|---|---|
| Name | Orders, decorations, and medals of Japan |
| Awarded by | Emperor of Japan |
| Established | Meiji period |
Orders, decorations, and medals of Japan are the formal system of national honours conferred by the Emperor of Japan and administered through agencies such as the Cabinet Office (Japan), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan), and the Prime Minister of Japan's office. Rooted in the Meiji Restoration and the modernization policies of Emperor Meiji and Itō Hirobumi, the system encompasses orders like the Order of the Chrysanthemum, decorations such as the Order of the Rising Sun, and medals awarded for service in contexts including the Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and postwar reconstruction tied to institutions like the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan).
History
The modern honours system was instituted during the Meiji era by edicts associated with Emperor Meiji and advisers including Iwakura Tomomi and Okubo Toshimichi, reflecting influences from the British honours system, the French Legion of Honour, and the contemporary orders of the German Empire. Early awards such as the Order of the Rising Sun (1875) and the Order of the Sacred Treasure (1888) recognized military leadership in campaigns like the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War as well as civil contributions tied to figures such as Ito Hirobumi and Saigo Takamori. During the Taishō period and Shōwa period, the system expanded with decorations for wartime service used by officers associated with the Imperial Japanese Army and the Imperial Japanese Navy, later undergoing reform in the postwar era under the Constitution of Japan and the influence of the Allied occupation of Japan. Revisions in the late 20th century addressed ties to international awards like the Order of Merit (United Kingdom) and bilateral honours exchanged with states such as the United States and France.
System and Types of Honours
Japan's honours system comprises orders, decorations, and medals administered through protocols involving the Prime Minister of Japan's recommendations and the Imperial Household Agency. Orders — exemplified by the Order of the Chrysanthemum and the Order of the Paulownia Flowers — are rank-based and often include multiple classes similar to the Order of the Bath and the Order of Leopold (Belgium). Decorations for merit and service, such as the Medal of Honor (Japan) series and the Order of the Rising Sun, recognize achievements in diplomacy linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan), contributions to culture associated with figures like Mori Ōgai and Yasunari Kawabata, or public welfare work in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan). Commemorative medals mark events comparable to the Taishō Coronation and national milestones akin to state decorations observed in the Olympic Games hosting by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Civil society awards from institutions such as the Japan Foundation sometimes parallel national decorations.
Major Orders and Decorations
Major orders include the Order of the Chrysanthemum (supreme), the Order of the Paulownia Flowers (senior), the Order of the Rising Sun (public service and diplomacy), and the Order of the Sacred Treasure (long-term civil service). Military-linked decorations historically included variants of the Order of the Golden Kite, which was abolished after the Allied occupation of Japan. The Medal of Honor (Japan) comprises ribbon-color classes awarded to civilians and professionals in fields represented by bodies like the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Japanese Red Cross Society, while campaign medals commemorated participation in conflicts such as the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War.
Criteria and Conferment Procedures
Nomination and conferment follow protocols where entities including cabinets, ministries, municipalities like Tokyo, and institutions such as the Japan Academy submit recommendations reviewed by advisory councils and the Prime Minister of Japan. The Emperor of Japan formally bestows honours by Imperial Precept after government vetting; state visits often involve exchanges of orders between heads of state like leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Criteria emphasize distinguished service in diplomacy tied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan), achievements in arts linked to laureates like Yasunari Kawabata or Akira Kurosawa, scientific contributions associated with the Japan Academy, and public welfare work connected to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan). Legal frameworks trace to statutes enacted in the Meiji period and procedures adapted post-World War II under influences from the United Nations and international human rights norms championed by figures like Eleanor Roosevelt.
Insignia, Design, and Wearing Protocol
Insignia often feature the chrysanthemum motif of the Imperial House of Japan and elements such as the rising sun used in the Order of the Rising Sun; metals and enameling echo designs seen in the Legion of Honour and the Order of St Michael and St George. Ribbons and suspension devices follow precise rules for placement on uniforms of organizations like the Japan Self-Defense Forces and civil dress for officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan); precedence is maintained comparable to protocols of the Commonwealth realms. Designers and artisans associated historically with the Imperial Household Agency and private firms produced variations for state visits by dignitaries from nations including Russia, China, and South Korea. Regulations specify wearing by rank, occasions akin to sittings of the National Diet (Japan), and adjustments for recipients who are members of orders conferred by foreign states such as the Order of the British Empire.
Posthumous Awards and Revocations
Posthumous conferments occur in cases involving individuals linked to national tragedies, service in agencies like the Japan Coast Guard, or cultural figures such as Murasaki Shikibu analogues honored retrospectively; statutes permit posthumous recognition under administrative rules overseen by the Cabinet Office (Japan). Revocations and forfeiture of honours follow procedures when conduct contradicts standards, applied in instances involving legal convictions or scandals affecting recipients associated with institutions like major corporations, prefectural governments, or the Japan Self-Defense Forces; such actions are processed through ministerial recommendations and finalized by Imperial notice.