The government said Friday it will release a list of 4,096 recipients of the spring decorations, including former World Bank chief James Wolfensohn and U.S. golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, 82, was set to receive the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, the highest-ranking decoration given this time.
The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun was set to go to 10 people, including former Gifu Gov. Hiromu Kajiwara, 72, one-time head of the National Governors' Association, former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Teijiro Furukawa, 71, former British Ambassador to Japan John Whitehead, 73, and Wolfensohn, 72.
Nicklaus, 66, cited for his contributed to the development of golf in Japan, was to be among 21 non-Japanese recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
From business circles, Iwao Toriumi, 73, former chairman of trading house Marubeni Corp., and Tsutomu Shida, 71, former chairman of food and karaoke firm Shidax Corp., were expected to be given the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
Veteran actor Naoki Sugiura, 74, and veteran jazz singer Martha Miyake, 72, born Mitsuko Miyake, were to be recipients of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Forty-nine non-Japanese from 21 countries were expected to be honored, and among the 4,047 Japanese recipients, 332 are women and 1,674 are not from the government.
A presentation ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace on May 9.
Skater, WBC team feted
Figure-skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa and the World Baseball Classic team are among the 776 individuals and nine organizations the government will award the Medal of Honor.
Arakawa, 24, the first female figure skater from Asia to win gold, at the Turin Olympics, and the WBC team are among the 26 recipients of the Medal with Purple Ribbon.