Japanese Emperor attends Grand Cordon ceremony, hands out awards

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:11 JST, May 11, 2022

The Emperor attended the spring ceremony for conferment of Grand Cordon honors at the Imperial Palace’s “Matsu-no-Ma” room on Tuesday.

The Emperor handed out awards to 18 people, who variously received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.

Recipients included Bunmei Ibuki, former speaker of the House of Representatives.

“I’d like to express my deep appreciation for the many years you have devoted to your respective duties, and for the service you have rendered to your country, to society and to the people,” the Emperor said after the ceremony. “I hope that you will continue to live well in the future.”