Mr Hiroshi Kitajima’s
celebration of receiving
The Order of the Rising Sun,
Gold and Silver Rays
Mr Hiroshi Kitajima, Former President and
currently Immediate Past President of FIAT-IFTA
was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold
and Silver Rays in the fall of 2022.Ceremony
was held November 11, 2022, at the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry.
In March 2023 Mr Kitajima’s celebration for
receiving the Order of the Rising Son, Gold and
Silver Rays was held at his hometown, Sapporo,
Hokkaido at the Sapporo Park Hotel, in Japan.
This was a great opportunity to recognise and
celebrate Mr Kitajima’s achievements.
As Chairman of the Block Representative
Directors Conference, former President Kitajima
worked to promote disaster relief agreements
between the government, federations, and
affiliated cooperatives in order to speed up
support activities in the event of a large-scale
disaster. In addition, he was appointed President
of the FIAT-IFTA in 2018, and has received this
award for his longstanding efforts to develop
the funeral service industry in Japan and abroad
and to expand and strengthen its organization,
including establishing the Japanese funeral
service industry’s position in the world through
numerous exchanges with countries around the
world.
The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章, Kyokujitsu-
shō) is a Japanese order, established in 1875
by Emperor Meiji. The badge features rays of
sunlight from the rising sun. The design of the
Rising Sun symbolizes energy as powerful as the
rising sun in parallel with the “rising sun” concept
of Japan (“Land of the Rising Sun”). The Order of
the Rising Sun is awarded to people who have
rendered distinguished service to the state in
various fields except military service. While it is
the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese
government, it is however generally the highest
ordinarily conferred order. The awarding of the
Order is administered by the Decoration Bureau
of the Cabinet Office headed by the Japanese
Prime Minister. It is awarded in the name of the
Emperor.
Photo: All Japan Funeral Directors Co-operation
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No. 102 – SUMMER 2023 | THANOS MAGAZINE
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