JAPAN DEFENSE MERIT MEDAL 3RD CLASS NO 4 RIBBON BADGE SET JGSDF AWARD DECORATION

JAPAN DEFENSE MERIT MEDAL 3RD CLASS NO 4 RIBBON BADGE SET JGSDF AWARD DECORATION

Condition: Used

Description

This is an extremely rare Japanese Third Class Defense Merit Medal, specifically the No. 4 Commendation, awarded from Heisei 26 (2014) onwards. Prior to Heisei 12 (2000), these medals were issued without a ribbon; however, from Heisei 26 onwards, they have been issued with ribbons, allowing for multiple medals to be worn simultaneously.

This No. 4 award is the highest tier within the Third Class Commendations, being the fourth out of 48 possible commendation levels. It was awarded to individuals who demonstrated meritorious service in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Self-Defense Forces Act, including participation in various deployments such as defense operations, public order operations, disaster relief, or duties determined by the Minister of Defense, like air rescue, surveillance, and other defense-related tasks.

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About Defense Merit Medals:

・Defense Merit Medals are a type of insignia worn by members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

・They are awarded as a副賞 (fukushō - accompanying prize) for the Special and Classes 1 to 5 Commendations bestowed by the Ministry of Defense.

・There are six grades of commendations: Special and Classes 1 through 5, awarded to members who have demonstrated significant achievements.

・Recipients of Special Commendations and Classes 1 through 5 are awarded the corresponding Defense Merit Medal: Special Defense Merit Medal, Class 1 Defense Merit Medal, Class 2 Defense Merit Medal, Class 3 Defense Merit Medal, Class 4 Defense Merit Medal, or Class 5 Defense Merit Medal.

・Originally, only recipients of Class 2 Commendations were eligible. This eligibility expanded to Class 3 Commendations from FY 2000 and to Class 5 Commendations from FY 2019 (though some prior Class 3 recipients may not have received them due to pre-amendment regulations).

・Design:

・The official design features an oval jewel at the center of a vertical sunburst, surrounded by cherry blossoms.

・The jewel colors correspond to the award colors: Red for Special, Purple for Class 1, Green for Class 2, Navy Blue for Class 3, Yellow for Class 4, and Indigo for Class 5.

・The sunburst is gold for Class 2 and above, and silver for Class 3 and below.

・They are typically worn on the upper left chest. If worn without a ribbon, they are worn on the upper right chest.

・Previously, when multiple ribbon-less Defense Merit Medals were possessed, only the highest-ranking one could be worn. However, with the introduction of the ribboned version, all possessed Defense Merit Medals can be worn.

This listing is for the Third Class Defense Merit Medal, No. 4 Commendation, as pictured. No additional items are included beyond what is shown in the photos.

Item Details

• Type: Third Class Defense Merit Medal, No. 4
• Theme: Orders and Medals
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Region of Origin: Japan
• Country of Origin: Japan
• Customized: Unknown

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