Japanese medals

[Aave Johns]

A question to my learned friends on this Forum. Has the Japanese awards system changed since 1945 i.e. did WW2 effect the type of awards given out in the same way the Germans no longer use certain types of awards such as the Iron Cross? This is simply to satisfy my curiosity, so a detailed reply is not necessary.

Regards;

Johnsy

[plmurphy]

All Japanese awards were banned after 1945. In the early 60's (I forget the exact year) they reinstituted all of the non military orders, ie. Chrysanthemum, Rising Sun, Sacred Treasure, Sacred Crown, Merit Medals and Cultural Decoration. These are awarded each year. The Golden Kite was never reinstituted and the campaign medals were never awarded again.

There was another revision of the system in 2003 where they reduced the number of classes in the orders, changed the design of some of them (most noticably the Sacred Treasure which now has a pawlonia leaf between the planchet and suspender) and changed the statues of the Sacred Crown so it can only be awarded to foreign women.

I hope this helps.

Paul

[Aave Johns]

Thanks Paul. I was curious as they have been working with Aussie forces in Iraq(returned back to Japan now). I think it was an engineering unit and because they were unarmed the Aussie army was their protection force. Ironic really when you think they were hell bent on invading us once.
I also wondered because I am in the Navy, and have visited Japan and done joint exercises with them off Japan and during RIMPAC. They still use the Hinomaru with 16 sprays (or beams, not sure of the term used) as their Naval ensign, thus perhaps they had revamped their honours and awards.

Regards;

Johnsy