The order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare or preservation of the environment.
Orden utdelas till dem som har gjort framstående insatser i internationella relationer, främjat den japanska kulturen, framsteg inom sitt arbetsområde, utveckling i social/yrkesmässig välfärd eller bevarandet av miljön.