Medals of Honor (Japan)

Decoration by the Government of Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Medals of Honor (Japan)

Medals of Honor (褒章, hōshō) 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 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.

Quick Facts Medals of Honor 褒章, Type ...
Medals of Honor
褒章
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Former and present medal designs, with respective ribbons
TypeCivil decoration
Awarded forMeritorious deeds or excellence in the respective field of work
CountryJapan
Presented bythe Emperor of Japan
Established7 December 1881 (1881-12-7)
First award1882
Final award2024
Precedence
Next (higher)Person of Cultural Merit
Close

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 Emperor Shōwa) and November 3 (the birthday of Emperor Meiji).

Types

Summarize
Perspective
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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

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with Red Ribbon

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

Green ribbon

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with 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.[citation needed]

Yellow ribbon

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with 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

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon

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

Blue ribbon

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with 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

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Current design of the Medal of Honor with 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

Green

Yellow

Purple

Blue

Dark blue

References

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