{"product_id":"japan-defense-merit-medal-3rd-class-no-4-ribbon-badge-set-jgsdf-award-decoration","title":"JAPAN DEFENSE MERIT MEDAL 3RD CLASS NO 4 RIBBON BADGE SET JGSDF AWARD DECORATION","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJAPAN DEFENSE MERIT MEDAL 3RD CLASS NO 4 RIBBON BADGE SET JGSDF AWARD DECORATION\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Used\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDescription\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Defense Merit Medals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・Defense Merit Medals are a type of insignia worn by members of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・There are six grades of commendations: Special and Classes 1 through 5, awarded to members who have demonstrated significant achievements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・Design:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・The official design features an oval jewel at the center of a vertical sunburst, surrounded by cherry blossoms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・The sunburst is gold for Class 2 and above, and silver for Class 3 and below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・They are typically worn on the upper left chest. If worn without a ribbon, they are worn on the upper right chest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e・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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eItem Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Third Class Defense Merit Medal, No. 4\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orders and Medals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal\/Reproduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion of Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCustomized:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unknown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHelpful links\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions before ordering? Please contact us first. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/shipping-policy\"\u003eShipping\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/refund-and-return-policy\"\u003eReturns\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/availability\"\u003eAvailability\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/faq\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-legal-notice\"\u003eContact\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all\"\u003eAll products\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips from Japan.\u003c\/strong\u003e Actual availability is confirmed after your order. Items may also be listed or sourced through other marketplaces. If an item becomes unavailable, your order will be promptly cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEmail updates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWant first dibs on new arrivals and restocks?\u003c\/strong\u003e Send us a message and include the email address you want us to use for store updates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe only use it for product updates, restock notes, and store announcements. You can also use the contact page if you want to ask a question at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCTA:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/email-updates?utm_source=product_page\u0026amp;utm_medium=internal\u0026amp;utm_campaign=email_updates_cta\"\u003eEmail updates\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact-legal-notice?utm_source=product_page\u0026amp;utm_medium=internal\u0026amp;utm_campaign=email_updates_cta\"\u003eContact\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/faq?utm_source=product_page\u0026amp;utm_medium=internal\u0026amp;utm_campaign=email_updates_cta\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Quality Pre-Owned","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52434554388773,"sku":"SH-_SAT_20260510m62035545723","price":632.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/3496\/9893\/files\/1_cea92787-3b35-4ec4-96db-4f279c3b6139.jpg?v=1780993357","url":"https:\/\/japan-quality-pre-owned.myshopify.com\/products\/japan-defense-merit-medal-3rd-class-no-4-ribbon-badge-set-jgsdf-award-decoration","provider":"Japan Quality Pre-Owned","version":"1.0","type":"link"}