Defensive memorial cordon

The is the decoration for officers in the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Officials may wear it on their uniforms while in active service. They are only cordons like the Unit Awards and the Unit Citations of United States Armed Forces.
The appearance of the defensive memorial cordon is similar to ribbon bars for military decorations but is completely different from regular ribbon bars, and are not awards or medals. The defensive memorial cordon is a 'rectangular-shaped memorial souvenir' for service career, participation of training in overseas, and participation in international peacekeeping and assistance operations.
History.
Before establishment.
After World War II, the standard for conferment of a decoration was changed and JSDF officials in active service were excluded from the now-civilian orders and decorations. In addition, the JSDF could not gain opportunity to participate battle because it is prohibited by Chapter 9 of the Constitution of Japan.　
Just after the JSDF was established in 1954, there were some officials who had military decorations and ribbon bars awarded by Imperial Japanese Army, so they wore in formal ceremony. They retired as time goes on, and no one could wear the military decorations with entitlement. For this reason, the officers in the JSDF in the 1970s had to participate in international meetings without any decorations.
Establishment.
On April 1, 1982, the system for Defensive memorial cordon was established to keep balance of looking between Japanese and foreign servicemen. When the system for Defensive memorial cordon was established, there were only 15 types of cordons, unlike past decorations the cordons are only used by officers of the JSDF.
Requirements.
The following Self-Defense Force officers in active service are allowed to wear the defensive memorial cordon:
Types of cordons.
There are today 41 cordons. When the system for the defensive memorial cordon was established, there were only 15 cordons. They must be worn by ascending order. Male officials wear three cordons for each line, and female officials wear two cordons for each line. If the foreign Orders and/or decorations are awarded to officers, these take precedence over the cordons and are required to be placed above them.
Some cordons (marked as grey) still exist, but it is impossible to meet their requirements as either the organizations in question have been abolished or the missions have been finished.
Rules for multiple awardees.
If the same cordons are to be awarded for further actions officers qualified to receive them have to put gold or silver cherry blossoms on the cordons.