On August 7, 2013, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan participated in the 2013 Florence Nightingale Medal presentation ceremony in Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.  The empress is Honorary President of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The Florence Nightingale Medal is awarded every two years to a male or female nurse who are:

“…active members or regular helpers of a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society or of an affiliated medical or nursing institution.  The medal is given to a nurse for their exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster and/or exemplary services or a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education.”

The winners of the 2013 Florence Nightingale Medal are Mrs. Aiko Kin and Mrs. Setsuko Hisatune.