Japanese Imperial Family Today

  Her Majesty the Empress Masako visited the Meiji Jingu Hall in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, on May 19 to attend the National Red Cross Convention. It was the first time in nearly two years and nine months since the August 2019 Florence Nightingale Medal ceremony that the Empress had attended an official function outside the Imperial Palace and Akasaka Imperial Palace on her own.   The convention was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the new coronavirus disaster, and was held for the first time in three years. The Empress is the Honorary President of the Japanese Red Cross Society. Honorary Vice Presidents Princess Kiko Akishino, Princess Nobuko Mikasa, and Princess Hisako Takamado were also in attendance.   At the ceremony, the Empress handed certificates and other awards to 13 representatives of the Order of Merit, which is awarded to individuals and organizations that have contributed to Red Cross activities. After the ceremony, the Empress reportedly expressed her a...

    At a regular press conference on April 14, Yasuhiko Nishimura, Director General of the Imperial Household Agency, expressed regret about an article in the May special issue of Bungei Shunju (released on April 8) related to the Emperor Emeritus and Her Majesty Empress Masako, saying that it "could never happen.”   The article states that while on the throne, the emperor emeritus did not introduce Empress Masako, Crown Princess of the time, to the Mexican president and his wife, who were state guests in 2003. Mr. Nishimura denied the contents of the article and said, "This is a truly regrettable lack of courtesy to His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus.”   The agency is seeking a correction from the Weekly Bunshun, which published similar content in November 2002. The editorial department of Bungei Shunju said, "The author obtained extremely reliable information from multiple sources and wrote the article. We are confident in the article".   The fact ...

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 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...

    (The main article is here.) On the occasion of Her Majesty the Empress Masako's 58th birthday, the Imperial Household Agency released the following doctors' opinions on her physical condition.

    (The main article is here.) On the occasion of her 58th birthday on December 9, Her Majesty the Empress Masako announced her impressions through the Imperial Household Agency.

On December 9, the Imperial Household Agency released a video of Her Majesty Empress Masako as she celebrated her 58th birthday. Masako has been attending major regional events online this year. In the video, she chatted with the Emperor of Japan while looking at traditional crafts associated with the various places she visited. Just before 3:00 p.m. that day, Empress Masako left the Imperial Palace where she resides with Her Majesty and waved with a radiant smile to the congratulatory voices. After this, Their Majesties bade farewell to the 100 or so people who had gathered, including neighbors, and then visited the residence of the Emperor and Empress to greet them on their birthday. On the 9th, Empress Masako also released her thoughts in writing through the Imperial Household Agency. Full text of her birthday impression is here. She expressed her relief that her eldest daughter, Aiko, had completed her adulthood, and also expressed her feelings as a mother, saying, "I am...

  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...

      The Japanese weekly women's magazine, Josei Seven, has reported that Empress Masako may not attend the opening ceremony of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics on 4 th of this month. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3b45dcbbf7298e54ba0362a2dc87aee7e65869b4?page=1   Opposition to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics is high among the Japanese people. According to a poll by the Asahi Shimbun, 43% of respondents favored "cancellation" and 40% "rescheduling," while a survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun showed that 59% favored "cancellation". His Majesty the Emperor is the honorary president of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and is expected to make the "opening declaration" at the opening ceremony. However, it has not yet been decided whether each event will be held with or without an audience.   An official of the PM’s office said: “Because of his position as Honorary President, it is unthinkable that His Majesty would be "absent...

The following is the full text of the words of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on the occasion of the 71st National Arbor Day held in Shimane Prefecture on March 30. (Read the parent article here )     It is my pleasure to join you in planting trees on the occasion of the 71st National Tree Planting Festival.   Due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, we are now forced to face various restrictions in our daily lives, such as significant limitations in human interaction. Under these circumstances, I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude again to those who are making great efforts to combat infectious diseases throughout Japan.   For the first time in its long history, this year's National Arbor Day will be held online, connecting the site at Sanbe-san in Shimane Prefecture's Ota City with the Akasaka Imperial Palace here in Tokyo. I regret that I will not be able to visit Shimane Prefecture and meet with you in person, but I ...

  Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attended the 71st National Tree-Planting Festival (sponsored by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization and Shimane Prefecture), which was held mainly in the northern field of Mount Sanbe, a national park in Sanbe Town, Ota City on the 30th. Their Majesties attended the event online from Akasaka Imperial Palace in Moto-Akasaka, Tokyo due to the coronavirus disaster.   Large monitors were installed at the ceremony site and at the Akasaka Imperial　Palace. His Majesty said, "I hope that the 'green cycle' of planting, growing, using, and planting again will be widely realized," and went on to cut the 17-meter-long Japanese black pine, which Emperor Showa planted at the previous Shimane Convention, with a saw.   This was followed by the "hand-planting" of cedar and rhododendron by Their Majesties, and the "hand-mowing" of enoki and walnut trees.  His Majesty said, "I regret that I wil...