Japanese Imperial Family Today

    It was reported that His Majesty the Emperor has expressed his displeasure with a book published in May, which is a compilation of interviews with his Imperial Heir, Crown Prince Akishino. The Daily Shincho reported on June 3.   The book is a compilation of a total of 37 one-on-one interviews conducted by journalist Keiji Emori, who has known Akishino for over 30 years. The book was published within a short time after the marriage of Akishino's eldest daughter, Mako, to Kei Komuro, and is said to reveal Akishino's true feelings about this marriage, which was highly criticized by the public.   In the book, there is a scene in which Akishino says of the financial trouble between Kei's mother, Kayo, and her former fiancé, "It's all about the Komuro family. The Akishino family has absolutely nothing to do with it.”  It is assumed that Akishino wanted to convey the stance that the Akishino family was merely involved in the matter.   According t...

  U.S. President Joe Biden, who arrived in Japan on May 22, visited the Imperial Palace on the morning of May 23 to meet with His Majesty the Emperor.   Shortly before 10:00 a.m., President Biden entered the Imperial Palace through the Main Gate in a convoy of approximately 20 vehicles, led by motorcycle and police cars, and proceeded through the Nijubashi Bridge to the residence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.   Shortly after 10:00 a.m., Mr. Biden arrived at the porte-cochere of the Imperial Palace. At the entrance of the Palace, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan greeted the President with a beaming smile. When Mr. Biden got out of the car, wearing a mask, he walked up to His Majesty, who greeted him with a "Hello" and a smile while gesturing with his hands. After 10:30, His Majesty guided Mr. Biden to the porte-cochere while talking with him, and waved him off. They exchanged words in English, and were happy to see each other again.   Accor...

  His Majesty the Emperor will meet with U.S. President Joe Biden on May 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the Imperial Palace. The Imperial Household Agency announced on May 20. The meeting is expected to be one-on-one and last about 30 minutes. Mr. Biden is scheduled to visit Japan on May 22, following his visit to South Korea for the Quad Summit, a framework for cooperation among the four countries of Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India. His Majesty will greet President Biden at the porte-cochere and see him off when he leaves.   According to IHA, His Majesty met with Mr. Biden, then Vice President of the United States, at his residence in December 2013 when he was Crown Prince. In terms of meetings with U.S. presidents, in May 2019, soon after His Majesty's accession to the throne, he and the Empress met with then U.S. President Trump and his wife, who were visiting Japan as state guests. Since President Biden is not a guest of honor this time, they will be no dinner meeting, ...

  On May 15, His Majesty the Emperor and Empress attended the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan, held simultaneously in Okinawa and Tokyo, from his palace online. The full text follows.   (The mother article is here .)   On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan, I am very pleased that the commemorative ceremony is being held today, connecting Okinawa and Tokyo online.   Okinawa, which was the scene of tragic ground fighting in World War II and remained out of Japanese control for 27 years after the war, was returned to the mainland 50 years ago today, based on the friendship and trust between the United States and Japan. In Okinawa, where many precious lives were lost in the World War, I have heard that the people of Okinawa have deepened their belief in "Nuchidotakara" (Life is Treasure), and I am deeply moved to attend this ceremony while thinking about the history of the Okinawan people who have...

  Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan online from the Imperial Palace on March 15. In his speech, the Emperor recognized that " various challenges still remain in Okinawa. ”  (The full text of his speech is here .) His Majesty said, "I have heard that in Okinawa, where many precious lives were lost in the war, people deepened their belief in 'Nuchidotakara' (life is treasure), and I am deeply moved to attend this ceremony while thinking about the history of the Okinawan people who have continued to suffer after the war," referring to the severe situation Okinawa was in after the war ended.   “Nuchidotakara" was also introduced as a phrase used by His Majesty during his first visit to Okinawa in 1987, when he was 27 years old, as a "poignant cry" for peace from the people of the prefecture. The phrase was introduced as an expression of the peo...

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the award ceremony of the Japan International Prize (sponsored by the International Science and Technology Foundation) held in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, on April 13. It was the first time in eight months that Their Majesties attended an event outside the Imperial Palace under the new coronavirus since the National War Memorial Ceremony on August 15, 2021.   In his speech, His Majesty the Emperor referred to the Corona disaster and said, "I hope that by bringing together the wisdom of various fields and by the people of the world joining forces with one another, we can overcome this difficult situation and build a future filled with hope.”   The Japan Prize is awarded to researchers who have contributed to the advancement of science and technology. The awards were also combined. This year's winners are a new type of genetic material, "messenger RNA (mRNA)," which is used to Katalin Carrico and three others for their ...

  On 50th Anniversary of Okinawa's Return to Mainland Japan, Princess Aiko and Prince Hisahito The parent article is here .   Press: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to the mainland. Your Majesty have made a number of visits and have continued to interact with the "small reporters".Please tell us about your memories of Okinawa and your thoughts on the history and people of Okinawa, which suffered a great deal of damage in the last World War.   Emperor: Since I was a child, I have heard many things about Okinawa from Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, who have deep feelings for Okinawa. My relationship with Okinawa as a child was based on my interactions with the Okinawan bean journalists in Karuizawa, where I spent every summer. It was a great opportunity for me as a child to learn about Okinawa. In the middle of the meeting, a student of the bean-counters demonstrated Okinawan karate forms, and I fondly remembered those days w...

  On Mako Komuro and History of Imperial Family The parent article is here . Press: In October of last year, Mako Komuro, your niece, left the Imperial Family due to her marriage. What is His Majesty's perception of the unusual course of events, in which no lump-sum payment was made and no ceremony was held, and the impact on the Imperial Family? What are your thoughts on the weekly magazine reports and Internet postings that are said to have affected Mako's physical condition, as well as on the way the Imperial Family disseminates information?   Emperor: I have watched Princess Mako grow up as my niece and nephew since she was a small child, and after she reached adulthood, she was sincerely involved in various official activities until she left the Imperial Family through marriage last autumn.   Based on the circumstances leading up to the marriage, including the various opinions about the marriage, it was decided that the Noh-ai Ceremony and other ceremonies ...

  About Empress and Princess Aiko The parent article is here . Press: Her Majesty the Empress has been attending to official duties with His Majesty while continuing her medical treatment. How is her recovery going? Your daughter, Princess Aiko, has turned 20. What did you think when you saw her at the coming-of-age events? Looking back over the past 20 years, please tell us about your most memorable memories, her current student life with its ongoing online classes, your hopes for the future, and your thoughts on her marriage as a father.   Emperor: Although it has been difficult for Masako to keep in shape due to the restrictions on her activities caused by the spread of the new coronavirus infection, she has been fortunate to be able to attend ceremonies in Tokyo, visit various places online, and give New Year's video messages together with us, while making various efforts. With regard to sericulture, last year we were able to engage in more work and I was happy to se...

  Looking Back on the Past Year   See the parent article here .   　 In the past year, while the effects of the new coronavirus infection continued to be felt, there were various events such as the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the relocation of the Imperial Family to the Imperial Palace, and the U.S. birthday of the Emperor. Could you tell us about the events that left a deep impression on you? In a situation where opportunities for direct contact with the public are limited, what were your impressions of your online visits to various places, and what do you think about the future of your activities in With Corona and Post Corona?   Emperor: The past year has also seen a raging outbreak of a new coronavirus infection. I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who have lost their lives and my heartfelt sympathy to the many people who have lost family members, friends and other loved ones. My heart aches for the many people who have lost t...

  On the 23rd, His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito celebrated his 62nd birthday, and celebratory events were held at the Imperial Palace.   On the morning of the 23rd, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the "Ceremony of Congratulation" to celebrate the Emperor's birthday at the Imperial Palace. The ceremony started at 11:00 a.m. and was attended by Prime Minister Kishida, the heads of the three branches of government, and representatives of foreign ambassadors. After expressing his gratitude for the celebration, His Majesty said, "I wish for the happiness of the people and the development of the country, and I also wish the heads of state of friendly countries good health and happiness for the people.   According to officials, on the 22nd, His Majesty conveyed his sympathy to Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, who was infected with the new coronavirus at the age of 95.   On the 23rd, the Emperor's birthday celebrations and events involv...

    His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has sent a telegram of sympathy to King Tupou VI of Tonga, who was struck by an underwater volcanic eruption in the South Pacific. The telegram was dated the 19th, the Imperial Household Agency revealed on the 20th. The relationship between the Imperial Family and the Tongan Royal Family is deep, and His Majesty has visited Tonga three times.   In 2006, when His Majesty was Crown Prince, he visited Tonga to attend the funeral of King Tupou IV. He attended the coronation of King Tupou V in 2008 alone and that of King Tupou VI in 2015 with Her Majesty the Empress (then Crown Princess). In addition to the luncheon, they met with Japanese residents and Japanese-Tongans.

    In 2021, Japan's imperial family was rocked by the marriage issue between Mako Akishino and Kei Komuro, and a ray of light was shed by the coming-of-age event of the emperor's only daughter, Her Imperial Highness Princess Toshinomiya Aiko.   At the end of the year, there were a series of articles in the Japanese media comparing the "Emperor Family" and the "Akishino Family."   Here is an abridged translation of one of them, written by journalist Masahiko Motoki for President Online on December 22.  

  On the first day of the New Year, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan sent out a video message to start the New Year, expressing his thoughts for those who are facing the new coronavirus as he did last year. His Majesty the Emperor's video message was made in response to the fact that the New Year's General Meeting of the Imperial Family will not be held this year, as it was last year, to prevent the spread of the disease. The six-minute video, released by the Imperial Household Agency at 5:30 a.m., begins with a New Year's greeting by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. After this, His Majesty the Emperor spoke about the effects of the new coronavirus, saying that his heart breaks for the many people who have lost their jobs or fallen into 　 difficult living conditions, and that he hopes that many warm hands will be extended to those who need help. “I sincerely hope that we can overcome this difficult situation by sharing the pain and supporting each other, w...

    On the 3rd, Culture Day, a ceremony to bestow the Order of Culture was held at the Imperial Palace.   Six of the nine recipients, including Shigeo Nagashima, 85, former manager of the professional baseball team Giants, and Kikugoro Onoe, 79, a Kabuki actor, attended the ceremony, and His Majesty the Emperor handed over the medals.   His Majesty congratulated the recipients, saying, "I am truly delighted that you have worked so hard over the years to achieve great achievements and contribute to the improvement of culture. He then went up to each of the recipients and exchanged a few words with them.   Due to countermeasures against the new coronavirus infection, the tea ceremony will not be held as last year, when the Emperor and Empress invited the recipients to the Imperial Palace.

  Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the opening ceremony of the 36th National Cultural Festival and the 21st National Festival of Arts and Culture for the Disabled in Wakayama Prefecture online from the Imperial Palace where they reside. His Majesty the Emperor connected the Imperial Palace/Goseki with the site via a live broadcast and said, "I hope that the circle of exchange will lead to the creation of a new culture. His Majesty expressed his concern for the hardships caused by the new coronavirus and said, "I believe that art and culture can enrich our minds and help us realize a richer life even in difficult times. After the ceremony, Their Majesties viewed the stage and exhibition, and talked with the performers and authors. The Emperor asked Ayaka Ejima, 18, a high school senior who danced on the stage, if she had been affected by Corona. After the meeting, Ms. Ejima said, "Even though I couldn't see his face through the mask, her eyes wer...

  The National Abundant Sea Development Convention, which was postponed for a year due to the new coronavirus, was held in Miyagi Prefecture, and Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress participated in the ceremony online.   The ceremony of the 40th National Convention for the Creation of an Abundant Ocean, held for the first time in two years, was held in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture on the morning of March 3, and Their Majesties participated online from the "Imperial Palace. "The National Abundant Sea Development Convention is held every year to protect abundant fishery resources and is one of the four major regional events attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress.   His Majesty the Emperor said, "It is truly meaningful that the conference is being held after overcoming the disaster, and I deeply respect the tireless efforts of the people of the region and the efforts of the people involved in the recovery.   In the afternoon, Their...