Filipino recipients of Japanese decorations
Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum
The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, established in 1876, is Japan’s highest order. It is rarely conferred on anyone outside the Imperial family and foreign heads of state.[1] There are only four Philippine presidents who were conferred the decoration.
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Diosdado Macapagal[2] | President of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | October 17, 1962 |
| Ferdinand E. Marcos[3] | President of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | September 20, 1966 |
| Corazon C. Aquino[4] | President of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | November 7, 1986 |
| Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo[5] | President of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | December 3, 2002 |
| Benigno S. Aquino III | President of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | June 3, 2015r |
Order of the Rising Sun
The order is established by Emperor Meiji on April 10, 1875 and instituted as an award for exceptional civil and military merit.
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Jose P. Laurel[6]* | President of the Philippines | 1st Class | October 1, 1943[7] |
| Jorge Vargas[8]* | Ambassador to Japan | 1st Class | October 1, 1943[9] |
| Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr[10]. | Ambassador to Japan | 1st Class | |
| Benigno S. Aquino, Sr[11]. | Ambassador to Japan | 1st Class | April 21, 1944 |
| Felino Neri[12] | Ambassador to Japan | 1st Class | June 3, 1958 |
| Manuel A. Adeva[13] | Ambassador to Japan | First Class | January 3, 1962 |
| Mauro Mendez[14] | Ambassador to Japan | First Class | May 19, 1964 |
| Jose S. Laurel III[15] | Ambassador to Japan | First Class | May 25, 1971 |
| Roberto Benedicto | Ambassador to Japan | First Class | July 22, 1977 |
| Carlos P. Romulo | Foreign Secretary | First Class | December 26, 1978 |
| Wilfred Z. Okada | Local employee, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines | Sixth Class | April 29, 1983 |
| Jose B. Laurel Jr. | House Speaker | First Class | April 29, 1985 |
| Joseph K.H. Uy | Chairman, Philippine – Japan Economic Cooperation Committee | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | April 29, 1991 |
| Auturo Yamane | Local employee, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines | Silver rays | April 29, 1992 |
| Ramon V. del Rosario | Ambassador to Japan | Grand Cordon | June 23, 1992 |
| Domingo L. Siazon | Ambassador to Japan | Grand Cordon | May 23, 1995 |
| Virgilio de los Santos | President, University of Manila | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | April 29, 1996 |
| Alfonso T. Yuchengco | Ambassador to Japan | Grand Cordon | June, 9, 1998 |
| Romeo Abelardo Arguelles | Ambassador to Japan | Grand Cordon | June 19, 2001 |
| Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo | 1st Gentleman | Grand Cordon with Paulownia Flowers | December 3, 2002 |
| Carlos B. Teraoka | Honorary Consul – General of Japan in Baguio | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | November 3, 2003 |
| Lilia Bagaporo de Lima | Director General, Philippine Economic Zone Authority | Gold and Silver Star | April 29, 2006 |
| Beatriz Pardinas Mojica | Principal, Nihongo Center Foundation | Gold Rays with Rosette | April 29, 2006 |
| Francis C. Laurel | President, Philippine – Japan Society | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | November 3, 2011 |
| Lydia N. Yu-Jose | Professor, Ateneo de Manila University | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | April 29, 2012 |
| Edgardo T. Angara | Senate President | Grand Cordon | April 29, 2013 |
| Tomas I. Alcantara | Chairman, Philippine – Japan Economic Cooperation Committee | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | April 29, 2013 |
Order of the Sacred Treasure
This award is also established by Emperor Meiji on January 4, 1888 for distinguished military or civil merit. It can be awarded to foreigner and since 1919 to women[16].
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Benigno S. Aquino, Sr.[17][18]* | Speaker of the National Assembly | 2nd Class | October 1, 1943[19] |
| Manuel de Leon | President, Movie Producers Association of the Philippines | Fourth Class | April 8, 1960 |
| Don Manuel Elizalde | President, Elizalde Corporation | Third Class | December 25, 1969 |
| Jesus S. Cabarrus | President, Marinduque Mining Corporation | Third Class | April 21, 1970 |
| Vicente T. Paterno | Honorary Member of the Philippine- Japan Society | First Class | November 3, 1981 |
| Emilio M. Abello Senior | Energy Secretary | First Class | May 18, 1982 |
| Alejandro Melchor | Presidential Advisor | First Class | November 3, 1984 |
| Leocadio de Asis | President, Philippine Federation of Japan Alumni | Third Class | April 29, 1985 |
| Victor A. Lim | President of Philippine – Japan Society | Third Class | November 3, 1985 |
| Benjamin F. Sanvictores | Vice Chairman, Philippine – Japan Friendship Foundation | Third Class | November 3, 1985 |
| Rafael M. Salas | Vice President, University of the Philippines | Grand Cordon | May 29, 1987 |
| David Bau Sycip | President, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation | Gold and Silver Star | March 17, 1988 |
| Estelita Guinto Juco | Member of the House of Representatives | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | July 12, 1989 |
| Bayani Gutierrez | Vice President, Technological University of the Philippines | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | April 29, 1990 |
| Alfonso T. Yuchengco | President, Malayan Group of Insurance Companies | Gold and Silver Star | November 3, 1998 |
| Francisco Sionil Jose | Novelist | Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon | November 3, 2001 |
| Cecilia Tolentino | Employee, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines | Gold and Silver Rays | April 29, 2004 |
| Carmen Carreon Hadiatmodjo | Employee, Permanent mission of Japan to the United Nations | Gold and Silver Rays | November 3, 2012 |
Order of the Precious Crown
This award is also established by Emperor Meiji on January 4, 1888 to award ladies, Japanese and foreign, for meritorious services[20].
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Imelda Marcos | First Lady | First Class | September 20, 1966 |
| Lucresia Kasilag | President, Cultural Center of the Philippines | Third Class | April 29, 1985 |
| Josefa M. Saniel | Professor, University of the Philippines Asian Center | Butterfly | November 3, 1986 |
Japanese Recipients of Filipino Decorations
Order of Sikatuna
This award was established by President Elpidio Quirino in 1951 as an award to outstanding local or foreign diplomats. It is named after Datu Sikatuna, chief of Bohol, who made a blood compact with Spanish Governor Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Akihito | Crown Prince of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | November 10, 1962 |
| Hirohito | Emperor of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | September 28, 1966 |
| Takeshi Yasukawa | Ambassador of Japan | Commander (Lakan) | November 18, 1969 |
| Kakuei Tanaka | Prime Minister of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | January 7, 1974 |
| Toshio Urabe | Ambassador of Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | July 16, 1974 |
| Yasuhiro Nakasone | Prime Minister of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | May 6, 1983 |
| Kiyoshi Sumiya | Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines | Grand Cross (Datu) | February 16, 1988 |
| Tsuneo Tanaka | Ambassador of Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | October 16, 1990 |
| Hirokazu Arai | Ambassador of Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | March 3, 1994 |
| Yoshifumi Matsuda | Ambassador of Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | July 15, 1996 |
| Yoshihisa Ara | Ambassador of Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | April 15, 2002 |
| Taro Nakayama, MD, Ph. D. | Member of Parliament, Japan | Grand Cross (Datu) | December 3, 2002 |
| Junichiro Koizumi | Prime Minister of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | December 3, 2002 |
| Naruhito | Crown Prince of Japan | Grand Collar (Raja) | December 3, 2002 |
| Kojiro Takano | Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines | Grand Cross (Datu) | October 13, 2004 |
| Kenji Kosaka | Japanese Member of Parliament | Grand Cross (Datu) Gold Distinction | June 18, 2009 |
| Masaaki Furukawa | CEO, Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Honorary Consul General of the Philippines in Aichi Prefecture Japan | Grand Officer (Maringal na Lakan) | April 22, 2010 |
| Dr. Sadako Ogata | President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) | Grand Cross (Datu) | December 14, 2013 |
Order of Lakandula
The Order of Lakandula is a political and civic merit of the republic conferred in commemoration of Datu Lakandula’s leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage, and resolve in the service of one’s people.
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Dr. Sadako Ogata | Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President | Grand Officer (Maringal na Pinuno) | September 20, 2006 |
| Emperor Akihito | Emperor of Japan | Grand Collar (Rank of Supremo) | June 3, 2015 |
Philippine Legion of Honor
This award was created in 1947 to outstanding members of Philippine and foreign armed forces. It can also be awarded to outstanding local and foreign civilians.
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Emperor Akihito | Emperor of Japan | Chief Commander (Punong Komandante) | December 3, 2002 |
Order of Gabriela Silang
The Order of Gabriela Silang may be conferred upon the spouses of heads of State and/or of government, both Filipino and foreign[21].
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Empress Michiko | Empress of Japan | December 3, 2002 |
Order of the Golden Heart
The Order of the Golden Heart is an award the President confers on individuals or organizations, Filipino or of foreign nationality, who have rendered distinguished service; or have given noteworthy monetary, material aid, or encouragement for the improvement of social, economic, and moral conditions of the Filipino masses.[22]
| Name | Position | Rank of decoration | Date Conferred |
| Tsuneo Tanaka | Former Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines | Grand Cross | July 29, 2013 |
Endnotes
[1] Robert Werlich, Orders and Decorations of All Nations: Ancient and Modern, Civil and Military, (Washington, D.C.: Quaker Press, 1974), p. 264
[2] From the Embassy of Japan
[3] Ibid.
[4] http://www.coryaquino.ph/index.php/tributes/article/57742416-f208-11df-b3cf-001617d76479
[5] From the Embassy of Japan
[6] Jose P. Laurel Memorial Foundation Incorporated, “Jose P. Laurel: Biographical Sketch”, accessed on May 27, 2015, link.
[7] Bulletin, (Manila: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1944), link.
[8] Department of National Defense, “Jorge V. Vargas”, accessed on May 27, 2015, link.
[9] Bulletin, (Manila: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1944), link.
[10] Senate of the Philippines, “Resolution Honoring and Remembering Filipino Industrialist Ambassador Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. for his invaluable contributions to the Philippine industry, advancement of management and corporate identity”, accessed on May 27, 2015, link.
[11] Presidential Museum and Library, “President’s Month in Review: April 1944”, accessed May 28, 2015, link.
[12] From the Embassy of Japan
[13] From the Embassy of Japan
[14] From the Embassy of Japan
[15] From the Embassy of Japan
[16] Robert Werlich, Orders and Decorations of All Nations: Ancient and Modern, Civil and Military, (Washington, D.C.: Quaker Press, 1974), p. 266.
[17] The Official Gazette, (Manila: National Print Office, 1943), accessed on May 27, 2015, link.
[18] Bulletin, (Manila: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1944), link.
[19] Bulletin, (Manila: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1944), link.
[20] Robert Werlich, Orders and Decorations of All Nations: Ancient and Modern, Civil and Military, (Washington, D.C.: Quaker Press, 1974), p. 265.
[21] http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2003/09/19/executive-order-no-236/
[22] http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1954/06/21/executive-order-no-40-a/
