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The is a Japanese order, established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government,〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Decorations Bureau web site )〕 created on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Council of State decree )〕 The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun〔(Embassy of Japan in Australia )〕 in parallel with the "rising sun" concept of Japan ("Land of the Rising Sun"). The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in the following fields: international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.〔(Orders of the Rising Sun ) Cabinet Office〕 Prior to the end of World War 2, it was also awarded for exemplary military service. Beginning in 2003 the highest ranking medal for the Order of the Rising Sun became a separate order known as ''Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers''.〔(Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers ) Cabinet Office〕 It is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government, however it is generally the highest ordinarily conferred order. The highest Japanese order, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, is reserved for heads of state or royalty, while the second highest order, the Order of the Paulownia Flowers is mostly reserved for politicians. The modern version of this honour has been conferred on non-Japanese recipients beginning in 1981 (although several foreigners were given the honor before World War II); and women were awarded the Order starting in 2003 (previously, women were awarded the Order of the Precious Crown). The awarding of the Order is administered by the Decoration Bureau of Office of the Prime Minister. It is awarded in the name of the Emperor and can be awarded posthumously. It can be awarded to Japanese as well as non-Japanese nationals. == Classes == The Order was awarded in nine classes until 2003, when the Grand Cordon with Paulownia Flowers was made a separate order, and the lowest two classes were abolished. Since then, it has been awarded in six classes. Conventionally, a diploma is prepared to accompany the insignia of the order, and in some rare instances, the personal signature of the Emperor will have been added. As an illustration of the wording of the text, a translation of a representative 1929 diploma says: 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Order of the Rising Sun」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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