Japanese honors system

The Japanese honours system originated in the 1870s, shortly after the Meiji revolution, and was modeled on European honours system. The first order, the Imperial Order of Meiji was established in 1875, and was later renamed as the Order of the Rising Sun.

The Grand Cordon of the order is typically awarded to foreign heads of government, chairpersons of prominent international organizations and leading politicians, business leaders and diplomats. Japanese Nobel Laureates were awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order. The second class is typically conferred upon prominent academics, politicians and military officers. The third through sixth classes are ordinarily conferred upon individuals who have made significant contributions to Japan or its culture in varying degrees. The 7th and 8th classes of the Order were abolished in 2003, and the Special First Class of the Order was renamed the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.

The Order is typically awarded to middle-grade administrators and diplomats, prominent figures in international affairs, leading businessmen, senior provincial politicians, and scholars and artisans who have made contributions to Japan or have furthered its culture. Prominent academics and university administrators are often conferred with the order.

For the year 2015, 8050 decorations were conferred in the following numbers:

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