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 Sun, 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.