There is no institution of the medals for merit in Japan at present, but still, the false statement of the medals for merit, including the rank, the academic degree, and any other titles stipulated in the law as well as those corresponding to them in the foreign countries, is treated as illegal according to the Minor Offense Act Article 1 Section 15; the person who violates the law receives punishment like detention or light fine.
なお、勲等に叙す慣習がなくなった今日でも、勲等を詐称することは、位階・学位その他法令に定めた称号、あるいは外国においてそれらに準ずるものを含めて軽犯罪法第1条15項において違法とされ、違反した場合、拘留又は科料に処せられる。