The government is considering conferring Japanese gold medalists in the Athens Olympics with decorations this coming autumn, officials said.
However, as 19 Japanese athletes have already won gold medals, the government is wondering whether to confer all of them with the decoration.
Damn those successful athletes, your politicians won't sleep until they've worked out how to honour you! While we're at it, give Nagashima an extra pint of blood.
Gold medalists are expected to receive the "Medal with Purple Ribbon" in line with the government policy of conferring athletes who have shown outstanding performances.
"Here's my gold medal. Here's the purple medal I won for winning my gold medal. Here's the green medal I won for winning my purple medal. And here's the turquoise medal I won for winning the green medal...."