Diligent Labor Badges a.k.a. "Industrial Warrior Golden Kite"/勤労章 勤労顕功章 別名「産業戦士の金鵄勲章」

Established on September 18, 1942 by Imperial Edict No. 652.

勤労顕功章 - Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge

Size 48.27 mm.
Weight 32.3 g.

勤労章 - Diligent Labor Badge

Size 30 mm.
Weight 14.5 g.

 

Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge was awarded on the national level /中央表彰では勤労顕功章/ to those who were previously awarded with Diligent Labor badge and were "true models for others" /実ヲ挙ゲ他ノ模範タルモノ/.

Diligent Labor Badge were awarded on the local level /地方表彰では勤労章/ to those who "worked at factories, mines, and other businesses designated by the Minister of Health and Welfare ... diligently and showed their dedication to the country" /其ノ職務ニ精励シ勤労報国ノ実ヲ挙ゲタルモノ... 工場、鉱山その他厚生大臣ノ指定スル事業ヲ行ウ事業所/.

Badges could be also also awarded for the "taking care of the danger situation and fulfilling one's responsibility" /事故ノ危難ヲ顧ミズソノ職責ヲ盡シソノ行為他ノ模範タルモノ/ and in case of the "event of being seriously injured or being killed in the line of duty as a result of being involved in a dangerous situation in the line of duty"/職務上の危難に挺身し、そのために重大な傷痍を受け、または殉職した場合/.

Same badges back to back. Private collection. Photos courtesy of the owner.
​

Cases.

 

Original Edict.

 

Badges were designed by the famous Japanese sculptor and designer Hinago Jitsuzou (1892-1945) who also designed 1939 China Incident and 1944 Great East Asia War medals. In the central medallion we see (according to the regulation) 神像 - Shinzou = God statue; Idol (i.e. carving or painting of a deity). No further details are provided.​

 

Both badges were manufactured by the Japanese Mint.

Interestingly according to the official history of the Mint "100 years of the Mint" both badges were made in bronze / いずれも青銅製で、/. Although late war badges theoretically could be made in silvered bronze early badges (by all senses) looks like they were made in silver. According to this short note 10 mint workers were also awarded with these badges.

Source.

 

Early badges from 1942/1943 were marked with Mint mark "M" https://asiamedals.info/threads/mark-m-on-japanese-orders-and-medals-who-and-when.14818/

Distinguished diligent labor badges with mark M.

 

Example of diligent labor badge with mark M.

造幣局製 - made by Mint.

 

Several variation of cases for Distinguished Diligent Labor badges are known.

1st variation "golden kanji".

Full set with original outer cardboard case.

Case clasp.

Badge.

Details.

 

2nd variation "silver kanji".

Full set with original outer cardboard case.

Somebody inscribed case

勤労顕功章 - Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge

Typical clasp for such cases.

Badge.

 

At least two different stamps with different shades of opaque enamel are known (note that the rays of the right one doesn't have diamond cut border).

 

3rd variation "jewelry case".

The only known example as for today. Private collection. Photos courtesy of the owner.

Note that the badge has transparent enamel.

Opaque vs. transparent enamel.

 

As for today two variation of cases for Diligent Labor badge are known.

1st variation "yellow interior".

 

2nd variation "dark blue interior".

 

Japan News No. 141, February 11, 1943.
Prime Minister Hideki Tojo personally presents Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge.

≪東條英機≫
「表彰状、内閣印刷局、イシワラヤクロウ。右の者、平素その職務に精励し、勤労報国の実を挙げ他の模範とするに足る。よってここに勤労顕功章を授与して之（これ）を表彰す。昭和１８年２月１１日、内閣総理大臣正三位勲１等功２級、東條英機。」

「大東亜戦争の真っただ中におきまして、先般、勤労顕功章令が制定せられ、勤労者の功労を国家的に顕揚するの、顕賞するの道をひらかれたのであります。之（これ）実に勤労者が一切を挙げて聖業翼賛の大道に帰一する、皇国本来の勤労像を宣揚し、しかして以って戦力の増強に大いに貢献せんことを目標として定められたるものであります。」​

日本ニュース 第１４１号｜戦争｜NHKアーカイブス

www2.nhk.or.jp

Reiji Sekida, representing the 80 industrial warriors from his workplace, spoke of his determination.

"We are truly honored to have received the Diligent Labor Badges, which is the highest honor for industrial warriors. We are deeply honored by this honor. We pledge to take the industrial war into our own hands without fail, destroy the United States and Great Britain by increasing production, and advance steadily as soldiers of the destiny of Greater East Asia."

Note the Ceremonial Cord https://asiamedals.info/threads/national-uniform-ceremonial-cords-gireisho.25118/

 

Document for the Distinguished Diligent Labor Badge issued to Reiji Sekida /関田禮治君/ on February 11, 1943.

 

Diligent Labor Badge with mark M https://asiamedals.info/threads/mark-m-on-japanese-orders-and-medals-who-and-when.14818/

Size 30 mm.
Weight 15 g.