Military Medals of Honor (Japan)

was a military decoration for meritorious service to the Empire of Japan, formerly awarded to all military personnel who participated in battles in a war. These war medals and accompanying certificates specifically identify the conflict for which the decoration will have been awarded.

These decorations were effectively abolished during the Allied Occupation of Japan in the post-war years (1945-1951). The plausible re-institution of a modern equivalent was made unlikely by the adoption of Japan's post-war Constitution which disavows the right of the state to engage in aggressive war; but on-going political pressure for an amending Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution renders that prospect marginally possible.

Japanese War Medals

1874 Formosa Expedition War Medal

1894-95 Sino-Japanese War Medal

1900 Boxer War Medal

Imperial Edict No. 142 was issued on April 21, 1901 ordering a commemorative medal for those who had participated in the relief of the Beijing legations during the Boxer Rebellion. [ [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/jap_medals.htm Boxer War Medal] ]

1904-05 Russo-Japanese War Medal

A unique "jugun kiso" was ordered on March 31, 1906 by Imperial Edict No. 51 [ [http://quanonline.com/military/military_reference/japanese/russian_war.php Russo-Japanese War Medal] ] in recognition of those who served in the war which occurred during the 37th and 38th years of the Meiji period -- "Meiji" 37-38 (1904-1905). This is more commonly known as the Russo-Japanese War.

A rough translation of the body of the document explains:

:" "A medal of honor ("jugun kisho") is hereby given, on March 30, 1906, to Ernesto Burzagli, Lieutenant of the Italian Navy, on application by the Naval Minister of Japan and with the Emperor's approval, pursuant to the Regulation Relating to the Medals Honoring Participation in Battles (1904-05). Dated April 1, 1906." "

:" "After review of this certificate, [the presentation to Lt. Bruzagli of the Medal] has been recorded on the Roll of Medals of Honor." "

An image of the front of the medal itself is shown at the bottom center of the certificate -- crossed Army and Navy flags on either side of the Imperial Crysanthemum crest above and the Imperial Pawlonia crest below.

Although it is not clear from the certificate whether Lt. Bruzagli did in fact participate in the battles or the award was honorary, we know from other sources that he was aboard one of the ships which contributing to the naval bombardment and blockade of Port Arthur in 1904. He was with the Japanese naval forces which aided in the capture of that strategic objective. Burzagli went ashore at Port Arthur with the occupying Japanese forces in January 1905.

1914-20 First World War Medal

Japanese participation in World War I was commemorated by medals created on November 6, 1915 by Imperial Edict No. 203. [ [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/jap_medals.htm First World War Medal] ]

Allied First World War Victory Medal

1931-34 China Incident War Medal

1937-45 China Incident War Medal

, "Shōwa" 6-16 (1931-1941).

*, "Shōwa" 6-20 (1931-1945).

*, "Shōwa" 12-20 (1937-1945).

*, "Shōwa" 16-20 (1941-1945).

*, "Shōwa" 16-20 (1941-1945).

External links

* Japan, Cabinet Office: [http://www8.cao.go.jp/english/decoration/index.html Decorations and Medals] -- the "Jugun kisho" is unmentioned in current schema of honors
* Japan Mint: [http://www.mint.go.jp/eng/operations/order/medalsofhonor.html Production Process]
* [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/jap_medals.htm Japanese War Medals of WWI]
* [http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-medals/jap_medals-ww2.htm Japanese War Medals of WWII]