Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Taku Yamamoto (front), a former House of Representatives lawmaker, heads to a conferment ceremony to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. The honoree, whose real surname is Takaichi, is the husband of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Taku Yamamoto (3rd from L), a former House of Representatives lawmaker, is conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan's Emperor Naruhito during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. The honoree, whose real surname is Takaichi, is the husband of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from L). (Pool photo)

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of the Grand Cordon, including former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji (7th from L) and former Supreme Court chief justice Saburo Tokura (8th from L), pose for a commemorative photo following the conferment ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025.

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of the Grand Cordon, including former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji (C) and former Supreme Court chief justice Saburo Tokura (C,R), pose for a commemorative photo following the conferment ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) speaks to Grand Cordon recipients during a conferment ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) speaks to former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji during a Grand Cordon conferment ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers to former House of Councillors President Hidehisa Otsuji during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers to former Supreme Court chief justice Saburo Tokura during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2025. (Pool photo)

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Photo taken on Sept. 6, 2025, shows the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum awarded to Japanese Prince Hisahito during coming-of-age rites in Tokyo. (Pool photo)

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, is pictured in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo following a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025. (Pool photo)

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, is pictured in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo following a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025. (Pool photo)

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, is pictured in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo following a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025. (Pool photo)

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Coming-of-age rites for Japan Prince Hisahito

Japanese Prince Hisahito, adorned with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after going through a series of coming-of-age rites on Sept. 6, 2025.

Japan PM Ishiba meets ex-Singapore PM Lee in Tokyo

Japan PM Ishiba meets ex-Singapore PM Lee in Tokyo

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) presents the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a conferment ceremony following their meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2025. Lee, who is visiting Japan to attend the National Day event at the World Exposition in Osaka, was among the eight people honored with the decoration by Emperor Naruhito in April for their notable contributions to Japan.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

TOKYO, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - Recipients of Japanese grand cordons pose for photos following a ceremony of conferment at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2025. Former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (9th from L) and former speaker of the House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima (10th from L) received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, while International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (2nd from L) was among the recipients of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun. (Kyodo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers to former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2025. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (R) heads to a ceremony to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2025.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (C) heads to a ceremony to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2025.

Last Hong Kong colonial governor receives Japanese decoration

Last Hong Kong colonial governor receives Japanese decoration

Christopher Patten, Hong Kong's last British colonial governor who oversaw its handover to Chinese rule in 1997, speaks after receiving the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun at the Japanese ambassador's official residence in London on Jan. 30, 2025.

Last Hong Kong colonial governor receives Japanese decoration

Last Hong Kong colonial governor receives Japanese decoration

Christopher Patten (L), Hong Kong's last British colonial governor who oversaw its handover to Chinese rule in 1997, receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from Japanese Ambassador to Britain Hiroshi Suzuki at the ambassador's official residence in London on Jan. 30, 2025.

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of Japanese decorations

Recipients of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, (from L) former Japanese Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa, former Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Nobuaki Koga, former United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Rashed Abdullah Alnuaimi and retired U.S. Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who served concurrently as head of the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, attend a photo session after a ceremony of conferment at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2024.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Japanese Environment Minister Sakihito Ozawa at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 6, 2024 (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda poses for a photo after receiving the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure from Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2024.

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L) talks to grand cordon recipients during an awarding ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2024. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Former Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda (front, R) receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure from Emperor Naruhito during a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2024. (Pool photo)

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon on Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

King Of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon On Queen Rania - Amman

King Of Jordan Besows Grand Cordon On Queen Rania - Amman

King Abdullah II of Jordan bestows the Order of the Bejewelled Grand Cordon of Al Nahda (Order of the Renaissance) on his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah in ‘appreciation of her distinguished service, her leading role in the advancement of Jordanian society and her keenness to support Jordanians in all fields’, in Amman, Jordan, on March 6, 2024, as part of 25th anniversary of their accession to the Hashemite Throne in 1999. Photo by Balkis Press/ABACAPRESS.COM

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 8, 2023. (Pool photo)

Imperial conferment of decorations

Imperial conferment of decorations

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (L) confers the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Indonesian Foreign Minister Noer Hassan Wirajuda at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 8, 2023. (Pool photo)

Ex-Indian premier receives decoration

Ex-Indian premier receives decoration

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) send off former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2014, after having lunch together. Singh received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Emperor Akihito. (Pool photo)

Ex-Indian premier receives decoration

Ex-Indian premier receives decoration

TOKYO, Japan - Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh walks with his wife in the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2014, after receiving the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Emperor Akihito. The couple also had lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko following the award ceremony.

Decoration recipients

Decoration recipients

TOKYO, Japan - Recipients (front row) pose for photos after receiving Grand Cordon decorations from Japanese Emperor Akihito in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 9, 2014.

Recipients of spring decorations

Recipients of spring decorations

TOKYO, Japan - The recipients of annual spring decorations from the Japanese government for their contributions to society pose for photos at a garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 24, 2011. Former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu received this spring's highest award, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.

Ex-PM Kaifu decorated

Ex-PM Kaifu decorated

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu (R front) chats with Masatoshi Wakabayashi, former agriculture minister, during a photo session for the recipients of annual spring decorations from the Japanese government at a garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 24, 2011. Kaifu, 80, who was Japan's prime minister from February 1990 to November 1991, received this spring's highest award, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers.

Ex-PM Kaifu decorated

Ex-PM Kaifu decorated

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japanese Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu (R) receives the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers from Emperor Akihito (L) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 24, 2011. Prime Minister Naoto Kan (C, back) also took part in the ceremony. (Pool Photo)

Ogi at autumn decoration ceremony

Ogi at autumn decoration ceremony

TOKYO, Japan - Former House of Councillors President Chikage Ogi arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 5, 2010, to attend an award ceremony for autumn decorations. Ogi became the first woman to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, one of the highest awards.

Emperor hands out gov't spring decorations at Imperial Palace

Emperor hands out gov't spring decorations at Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) speaks to recipients of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest honor in this spring's decorations awarded by the Japanese government, at the Imperial Palace on May 8. (Pool photo)

Emperor hands out gov't spring decorations at Imperial Palace

Emperor hands out gov't spring decorations at Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (L) hands out the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest honor in this spring's decorations awarded by the Japanese government, to former Japanese Trade Union Confederation President Etsuya Washio (2nd from R) as Prime Minister Taro Aso (C) looks on at the Imperial Palace on May 8. Washio was among seven recipients who were given the highest award this spring. About 4,000 people were awarded spring decorations for their contributions to the nation and public in various fields such as politics, business, and arts and culture. (Pool photo)

Order of the Rising Sun awarded to Nepali leader Ram Chandra Paudel

Order of the Rising Sun awarded to Nepali leader Ram Chandra Paudel

Ram Chandra Poudel (L), Former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal. Poudel receives the 2020 Spring Imperial Decoration, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun award from Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka at latters residence in Kathmandu. Poudel on April 29, 2020 was awarded with decoration in recognition of his contributions towards strengthening the relationship between Japan and Nepal and promoting the interchange of members of parliaments of both countries. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the ceremony has been unfortunately postponed, but was successfully completed on 15 December, 2022. Japanese Decorations are conferred upon foreigners twice a year, on 29th April and 3rd November, concurrently with the conferment of decorations and medals to Japanese nationals...