Awards of
World War IIThe Order of the Rising Sun was Japan's first national award, established on April 10, 1875, by order of Emperor Meiji and approved by decree of the State Council.
The badge is shaped like a rising sun and symbolizes energy, and is also a symbol of Japan (the land of the rising sun).
This award is given to those who have made outstanding contributions in the following areas: international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, outstanding achievements in their field, as well as achievements in promoting well-being or preserving the environment. In 2003, the highest award, the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers, was established as a separate award – the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.
This is the third-highest order in Japan's awards system, but since the Order of the Chrysanthemum is reserved for heads of state and royalty, and the Order of the Paulownia Flowers is reserved for politicians, the Order of the Rising Sun is the highest award that can be earned in other fields.
Originally, this award was only given to Japanese nationals, and only to men. Since 1981, the order can also be awarded to citizens of other countries (although several exceptions were made during World War II), and since 2003, women can also receive the award, and it can also be received posthumously.
Initially, the order had nine classes, but in 2003, the highest class of the order was made a separate award, and the two lower classes were abolished.
The star of the first and second degrees of the order is an eight-pointed star with triple dovetail-shaped rays, upon which the insignia of the order is superimposed. The star of the Order of the Rising Sun, first degree, is worn on the left chest, while the star of the second degree is worn on the right.
The first-fourth degrees of the order are made of a star with 32 dovetail-shaped rays radiating from a red cabochon in the center. The rays are made of silver with gilding, and the central portion is enameled with white enamel. The fifth degree award has four silver and four gilded rays, while the sixth degree award has all silver rays. At the top of the award is a pendant in the form of three green-enameled paulownia leaves.
The award for the two lower classes was made of only three paulownia leaves, enameled with green enamel in the 7th class and uncoated in the 8th.
The ribbon of the order is white with red stripes along the edges. The 1st class is worn over the right shoulder; the ribbon is 121 mm wide. The 2nd and 3rd classes are worn on a neck ribbon 36 mm wide. The remaining classes are worn on a ribbon bar on the left chest. The ribbon of the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th class, is decorated with a rosette in the ribbon's colors, 22 mm in diameter.