Medals of Honor

Since the late 19th Century, the Government of Japan has issued six different types of Medals of Honor (褒章, hōshō^?) to individuals for achievements in various fields.

褒章 Medal of Honor

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 are the same, bearing the words 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.

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

Hitoshi Narita stands at near right, wearing the Japanese Medal of Honor with purple ribbon. Dr. Narita stands with H.R.H. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (middle) and with the President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Alec Broers, now Lord Broers (left). The three men were photographed on the evening of a formal dinner following Narita's election as a fellow of the Academy in 2002.

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 the 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.^[1]

Green

• Ryōtarō Sugi^[2]

Yellow

• Ken Ono ^[3]
• Hiroshi Maeda ^[4]

Purple

• Toshiko Akiyoshi^[5]
• Hitoshi Narita.^[6]
• Morihei Ueshiba.^[7]
• Mitsuo Tsukahara.^[8]
• Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi.^[8]
• Miyuki Nakajima.^[8]
• Eiichi Nakamura.^[8]
• Joe Hisaishi.^[8][9]
• Akinori Yonezawa.^[8]
• Yoshihisa Yamamoto ^[10][11]
• Jun'ichi Tsujii
• Shigeo Hirose
• Yoshio Harada
• Toshirō Mifune
• Kiyokazu Washida
• Moto Hagio

Blue

• Yasuhiro Fukushima.^[8]
• Masaru Ibuka.^[12]
• Kaoru Inoue ^[13]
• Kazuo Imai ^[14]
• Keiichi Ishizaka.^[8]
• Norio Ohga^[15]
• Hiroko Sakai.^[14]
• Shoichiro Toyoda.^[16]
• Yoshikazu Yahiro.^[17]
• Gōgen Yamaguchi.^[18]
• Magokichi Yamaoka

Dark blue

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Notes

References

• 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. ISBN 1-890974-09-9

External links

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