Medals of Honor (Japan) explained

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.^[1] 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 on a gilt central disc surrounded by a silver ring of cherry blossoms on the obverse; only the colors of the ribbon differ.

If for some reason an individual were to receive a second medal of the same ribbon colour, then a second medal is not issued but rather a new bar is added to their current medal. The Medals of Honor are awarded twice each year, on April 29 (the birthday of the Shōwa Emperor) and November 3 (the birthday of the Meiji Emperor).

Types

Red ribbon

First awarded in 1882. Awarded to individuals who have risked their own lives to save the lives of others.

Green ribbon

First awarded in 1882. Originally awarded "to children, grandchildren, wives and servants for remarkable acts of piety; and to individuals who, through their diligence and perseverance while engaging in their professional activities, became public role models".

Changed social values after World War II had resulted in the conferment of this medal being suspended after 1950; since 1955 it has been replaced to some extent by the revived Medal with Yellow Ribbon (see below). However, in 2003 the Medal with Green Ribbon was revived as an award to morally remarkable individuals who have actively taken part in serving society.

Yellow ribbon

First awarded in 1887 (later abolished); revived in 1955. Awarded to individuals who, through their diligence and perseverance while engaging in their professional activities, became public role models.

Purple ribbon

First awarded in 1955. Awarded to individuals who have contributed to academic and artistic developments, improvements and accomplishments.

Blue ribbon

First awarded in 1882. Awarded to individuals who have made significant achievements in the areas of public welfare or public service.

Dark blue ribbon

First awarded in 1919. Awarded to individuals who have made exceptionally generous financial contributions for the well-being of the public.

Select recipients

Red

• Samuel Robinson, a British-Canadian Royal Naval Reserve officer who participated in relief efforts in the aftermath of the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake^[2]
• Yan Jun, a People's Republic of China citizen who saved a Japanese child from drowning during a typhoon in September 2013^[3]
• Anuj Raj Karki, a Nepalese citizen who saved a Japanese girl lying unconscious on a railway track.
• Momoko Fukuda, a 20-year-old student at the Okayama University of Science who saved the life of an elderly women from an oncoming train after she became trapped on a railroad crossing.^[4]

Green

• Ryōtarō Sugi^[5]
• Torakusu Yamaha^[6]

Yellow

• Ken Ono^[7]
• Hiroshi Maeda^[8]
• Noguchi Naohiko^[9]
• Hiroshi Tsukakoshi^[10]
• Hisashi Suzuki^[11]
• Mitsugu Shibata^[12]

Purple

• Hiroyuki Sanada^[13]
• Osamu Akimoto^[14]
• Yasushi Akimoto^[15]
• Toshiko Akiyoshi^[16]
• Hideaki Anno^[17]
• Shizuka Arakawa
• Chieko Asakawa^[18]
• Kinji Fukasaku^[19]
• Moto Hagio^[20]
• Yuzuru Hanyu^[21]
• Machiko Hasegawa^[20]
• Joe Hisaishi^[22]
• Akira Ifukube^[23]
• Sayuri Ishikawa^[24]
• Chika Kuroda^[25]
• Keisuke Kuwata^[26]
• Akihiro Maeta^[27]
• Takashi Matsumoto^[26]
• Miyuki Nakajima
• Eiichi Nakamura
• Koichi Nakano^[28]
• Hitoshi Narita^[29]
• Tetsuya Noda^[30]
• Hideyuki Okano^[31]
• Katsuhiro Otomo^[32]
• Shoichi Ozawa^[33]
• Takao Saito^[34]
• Hiroyuki Sasaki^[35]
• Jian-ren Shen^[36]
• Chiyoko Shimakura^[37]
• Takashi Shimura^[38]
• Yasuharu Suematsu^[39]
• Taihō Kōki^[40]
• Rumiko Takahashi^{[41] [42]}
• Keiko Takemiya^[43]
• ^[44]
• Mitsuo Tsukahara^[45]
• Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi^[45]
• Morihei Ueshiba^[46]
• Hozan Yamamoto^[47]
• Yoshihisa Yamamoto^{[48] [49]}
• Koji Yamamura^[50]
• Kono Yasui^[51]
• Akinori Yonezawa^[45]
• Masaaki Yuasa^[52]
• Toshiko Yuasa^[53]
• Kisna Gupta^[54]
• Kōji Yakusho^[55]
• Katsuya Yokoyama^[56]

Blue

• Toshio Kashio awarded in 1984 for contributions to Japan's post-WWII economic recovery through Kashio Seisakujo (Casio Computer Co.)^[57]
• Clara Converse awarded 1929 for contributions to women's education.^[58]
• Tano Jōdai awarded for contributions to women's education
• Rokuro Ishikawa
  • Koichi Kawai Yasuhiro Fukushima^[45]
• Yanosuke Hirai, Nuclear engineer whose precaution and foresight prevented two nuclear disasters.
• Masaru Ibuka^[59]
• Kaoru Inoue^[60]
• Kazuo Imai^[61]
• Keiichi Ishizaka^[45]
• Norio Ohga^[62]
• Eishiro Saito^[63]
• Hiroko Sakai^[61]
• Nobuchika Sugimura
• Shoichiro Toyoda^[64]
• Yoshikazu Yahiro^[65]
• Gōgen Yamaguchi^[66]
• Alice Appenzeller^[67]
• Magokichi Yamaoka
• Carlos Ghosn
• Toshiko Satake (Satake Corporation)
• Abbas Kiarostami
• Hiroyuki Ito^[68] (Crypton Future Media)
• Miyazaki Atsuo
• Tomio Fukuoka (1993)^[69]
• Tokio Yokoi, Rev ordained minister and politician, international author 1890 to 1920. IHJ 3rd Class Honour award for his contributions during the 1919 Paris Peace Talks
• Tsuyoshi Kikukawa https://web.archive.org/web/20111122050021/http://www.ngmf.com/speakers/17.html
• Kisshomaru Ueshiba http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/aikido/history.html
• Moriteru Ueshiba http://www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/aikido/history.html

Dark blue

• Ayumi Hamasaki
• Shingo Katori
• Tak Matsumoto^[70]
• Masahiro Nakai
• Takahiro Nishijima
• Yoshiki^[71]

References

Bibliography

• Peterson, James W., Barry C. Weaver and Michael A. Quigley. (2001). Orders and Medals of Japan and Associated States. San Ramon, California: Orders and Medals Society of America.

External links

• Japan, Cabinet Office: Decorations and Medals
  • Decoration Bureau: Medals of Honour
• Japan Mint: Production Process

Notes and References

1. Web site: 日本の勲章・褒章（賞勲局） - 内閣府. www8.cao.go.jp.
2. Honor awarded 1923 – National Maritime Museum (UK)
3. Web site: Abe gives thank-you letter to Chinese student for rescuing boy . The Japan Times . 14 November 2013 . 23 July 2018.
4. Web site: Momoko Fukuda Article. Sanyo Broadcasting. 15 March 2024.
5. Web site: 杉良太郎、緑綬褒章伝達式で「重い受章」と気持ちも新た. Oricon News. 4 March 2015 .
6. Web site: torakusu yamaha biography . 2022-07-28 . cactus-journal-of-tourism.ase.ro . en-US.
7. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_okayama.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Okayama Prefecture)
8. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_osaka.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Osaka Prefecture)
9. Web site: Kontatsu. Co., Ltd.. www.kontatsu.co.jp.
10. Web site: Tree-Ring Management. Japan Library.
11. Awarded 29 April 2007 http://saas3.startialab.com/acti_books/1045173943/7774/_SWF_Window.html
12. https://web.archive.org/web/20010201050400/http://www.cao.go.jp/ Honor awarded 2016
13. Web site: Miss Hokusai Director Keiichi Hara Receives Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon. Anime News Network. 2018-11-05. 2023-10-30.
14. Web site: KochiKame Creator Osamu Akimoto Wins Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon. Anime News Network. 2019-11-02. 2022-02-20.
15. News: April 28, 2022 . 「春の褒章」秋元康さん 平野歩夢さんら688人 20団体が受章 . "Spring Medal" Yasushi Akimoto, Ayumu Hirano and other 688 people 20 groups received the award . . April 28, 2022.
16. http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/about/award/04/profile.html Japan Foundation – Toshiko Akiyoshi
17. Web site: 春の褒章に高木美帆さんら 688人、作詞家の秋元康さんも. April 28, 2022. Kahoku Shimpo.
18. Web site: IBM Research: IBM Fellow Chieko Asakawa awarded Medal of Honor. ibmresearchnews.blogspot.com.
19. Web site: Renowned director Fukasaku, of 'Battle Royale' fame, dies. 13 January 2003. The Japan Times. 2014-08-29.
20. Web site: Ransom . Ko . Hagio Is 1st Shōjo Manga Creator to Win Japan's Purple Ribbon (Updated) . . 19 April 2021 . 27 April 2012.
21. Web site: 紫綬褒章:羽生「更なる好成績を」 - 毎日新聞 . 2015-09-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119214058/http://mainichi.jp/sports/news/20140428k0000e040127000c.html . 2015-11-19 .
22. http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/news/20091102p2a00m0na011000c.html "678 individuals, 24 groups awarded Medals of Honor,"
23. Web site: 伊福部昭音楽資料室. Akira Ifukube Music Library. Town of Otofuke. April 17, 2023. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20220123133550/https://www.town.otofuke.hokkaido.jp/kyoiku/tosyokan/ifukube.html. January 23, 2022.
24. Jiji press, 20 May 2019 (「歌手の石川さゆりさんら紫綬褒章＝囲碁の趙治勲さんも－春の褒章」https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2019052000090&g=pol), viewed 9, June, 2019. See also, Ishikawa’s press conference script, (「春の紫綬褒章、受章。」 http://www.ishikawasayuri.com/news/2019/05/post_442.html), viewed 9, June, 2019.
25. Web site: Chika Kuroda (1884~1968). Ochanomizu University. 8 November 2015. 23 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151123191907/http://archives.cf.ocha.ac.jp/en/researcher/kuroda_chika.html. dead.
26. Web site: 松本隆が紫綬褒章「自分の作品が自分の存在を証明してくれた」 . Natalie. ja. 2017-11-02. 2018-03-26.
27. Web site: Maeta Akihiro (b. 1954) - Onishi Gallery - New York.
28. Web site: 平成１８年度第１回理事会議事録. 2015-12-13.
29. Honor awarded 1990 – Office of Naval Research (US): "Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh admits Office of Naval Research engineer to United Kingdom's Royal Academy of Engineering," Press release. November 11, 2002.
30. Web site: 2003年／平成15年 . 2014-03-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130122162354/http://www.tobunken.go.jp///japanese/nenshi/2003.html . 2013-01-22 . Chronological report of Japan's Art Yearbook by Independent Administrative Institution National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo)
31. Web site: Info. www.brain.riken.jp.
32. Web site: Anime News: 'Akira' creator Katsuhiro Otomo honored by government . . 2013-11-13 . 2013-11-27 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131116031600/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201311130042 . 2013-11-16 .
33. News: Actor, folk art researcher Ozawa dies . . . 2012-12-08 . 2012-12-31.
34. Web site: 'Golgo 13' manga series author Takao Saito dies at 84 of cancer . 2021-09-29. The Asahi Shimbun. 2022-02-20.
35. Web site: Kyushu University [Hiroyuki Sasaki (Professor) Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Department of Molecular and Structural Biology]]. hyoka.ofc.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
36. Web site: Professor Shen awarded Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon in Autumn 2020. en. 2020-11-02.
37. Web site: 'Enka' icon Shimakura dies at 75 . The Japan Times. 8 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131111015024/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/11/09/national/famed-japanese-songstress-shimakura-dies-at-75/ . 2013-11-11 . dead.
38. Web site: Shimura, 76, Actor In Films by Kurosawa. 1992-02-15. The New York Times. 2022-02-20.
39. The Japan Prize Foundation: Dr. Yasuharu Suematsu. Dated 2014, Archived copy at archive.org
40. Web site: 元横綱・大鵬の納谷幸喜さんが死去 72歳 . 2013-01-19 . . ja . 2022-02-20.
41. News: 秋の褒章、高橋留美子さんら . November 2, 2020 . Autumn medal 2020, Rumiko Takahashi and others . . November 2, 2020.
42. Web site: Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha Creator Rumiko Takahashi Receives Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon. Anime News Network. November 1, 2020. November 16, 2020.
43. Web site: Sherman . Jennifer . To Terras Takemiya Receives Japan Medal with Purple Ribbon . . 13 March 2021 . 3 November 2014.
44. Web site: Hodgkins . Crystalyn . Manga Creator Ichirō Tominaga Passes Away at 96 . . 23 May 2021 . 22 May 2021.
45. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_tokyo.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Tokyo Prefecture)
46. Honor conferred 1960 – North Austin Tae Kwan Do: "Chronology of the Life of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido."
47. Web site: Hozan Yamamoto: The Story of Japan's National Treasure. en. 2021-07-08. 2022-12-24.
48. Web site: Quantum optics research earns medal from Japanese emperor - Stanford News Release. 18 November 2005. news.stanford.edu.
49. Web site: Professor Yoshihisa Yamamoto is awarded "Medal with Purple Ribbon". www.nii.ac.jp.
50. Web site: 短編アニメ、１人で描く自由 紫綬褒章受章の山村浩二：朝日新聞デジタル. June 2019 .
51. Web site: Yasui, Kono (1880–1971). https://web.archive.org/web/20160224220718/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2588825373.html. dead. 24 February 2016. Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages. 2007. subscription . 7 November 2015.
52. Web site: 「秋の褒章」俳優の内野聖陽さんなどが受章へ. NHK. ja. 2021-11-02. 2021-11-01.
53. Toshiko Yuasa (1909–80): the First Japanese Woman Physicist and Her Followers in Japan . https://web.archive.org/web/20150712131743/http://www.cospa.ntu.edu.tw/aappsbulletin/data/17-4/17_4_p1517.pdf . dead . 2015-07-12 . AAPPS Bulletin . August 2007 . 17 . 4 . Eri . Yagi . Hisako . Matsuda . 15–17 . 6 November 2015 .
54. Web site: Foreign Minister’s Commendations for FY 2023. August 16, 2023.
55. Web site: 春の褒章、役所広司さんら６７４人２０団体. Asahi Shimbun (Digital). ja. 2012-04-28. 2021-07-19.
56. Web site: Katsuya Yokoyama . en. 2022-12-24.
57. Web site: Kashio Toshio CASIO . 2024-03-08 . CASIO Official Website . en.
58. Hill. Edith Naomi. Clara A. Converse is Honored by Japan. The Smith Alumnae Quarterly. July 1929. 20. 4. 427. 16 January 2017. The Alumnae Association of Smith College. Northampton, Massachusetts.
59. Honor awarded 1960 – Sony Corporation: http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/199801/ibuka-e.html.
60. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_nagasaki.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Nagasaki Prefecture)
61. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_kyoto.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Kyoto Prefecture)
62. Sony, "Passing of Norio Ohga, Senior Advisor and former President and Chairman, Sony Corporation," April 23, 2011; retrieved 2011-08-08
63. Web site: 訃報（経団連名誉会長、当社社友名誉会長 斎藤英四郎殿）[News of death: President Emeritus of Keidanren, Honorary Chairman of our company, Saito Eishiro] ]. Nippon Steel . 22 June 2019.
64. Honor awarded 1984 – Toyota Motor Corporation: Toyoda, Honorary Chairman
65. http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/list_hp/h_fukuoka.pdf Honor awarded 2009 (Fukuoka Prefecture)
66. Web site: Profile. www.gojukai.com.
67. Book: Parker. Fitzgerald. Twenty-Sixth Annual Report, Woman's Missionary Council of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Home Mission Movement, 1935–1936. 1936. Methodist Episcopal Church, South Whitmore & Smith, Agents. Nashville, Tennessee.
68. Web site: Crypton CEO Awarded Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor, Snow Miku 2014 Event Info, Meiko V3 Details Announced. jrharbort. 5 November 2013. Mikufan.com.
69. Web site: Kobe Institute of Computing - History. www.kic.ac.jp.
70. Web site: B'zの松本孝弘が紺綬褒章を受章. Natalie. ja. 2022-04-07. 2022-04-07.
71. Web site: 2021-03-11. X JAPAN's YOSHIKI Receives Prestigious Japanese Medal Of Honor. 2021-03-15. BLABBERMOUTH.NET.