Jun 16, 2014

Crown Prince lauds Swiss ties ahead of official visit

Crown Prince Naruhito said he was looking forward to bolstering ties with Switzerland as he prepared to depart for an official visit there this week. “It is very significant to strengthen exchanges with Switzerland, which is known for its international humanitarian spirit and openness ...

Prince Katsura, cousin of Emperor Akihito, dies at 66

Jun 8, 2014

Prince Katsura, cousin of Emperor Akihito, dies at 66

Prince Katsura, a cousin of Emperor Akihito and sixth in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, died at a Tokyo hospital at 10:55 a.m. Sunday, the Imperial Household Agency announced. He was 66. The prince had been rushed to University of Tokyo Hospital in a ...

Media minds manners in royal reportage

| Jun 7, 2014

Media minds manners in royal reportage

by Philip Brasor

As much as we all love them, the Imperial family doesn’t make for exciting reading. Last week, the European press was beside itself with news of the abdication of Spain’s King Juan Carlos, who has been hit by several public support-sapping scandals in recent ...

May 28, 2014

Wedding to commoner highlights royal dilemma

The announcement Tuesday that Princess Noriko is engaged to marry a commoner was greeted warmly around the nation, but it has also fueled concern that the Imperial family is losing another member and will have fewer royals to carry out public duties. “Since my ...

Princess Noriko to wed son of Izumo-Taisha chief priest

May 27, 2014

Princess Noriko to wed son of Izumo-Taisha chief priest

Princess Noriko, second daughter of Princess Hisako and the late Prince Takamado, has become engaged to the eldest son of the chief priest of Izumo-Taisha, the grand shrine in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, the Imperial Household Agency said on Tuesday. Princess Noriko, 25, and Kunimaro ...

Princess Aiko graduates from Gakushuin Primary School

Mar 18, 2014

Princess Aiko graduates from Gakushuin Primary School

Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, graduated from Gakushuin Primary School on Tuesday. The 12-year-old princess, who attended the commencement ceremony with the royal couple, is scheduled to enrolled at Gakushuin Girls’ Junior High School in ...

Crown Princess Masako turns 50, vows to stay on the mend

Dec 9, 2013

Crown Princess Masako turns 50, vows to stay on the mend

In a written statement issued for her 50th birthday Monday, Crown Princess Masako pledged to continue efforts to overcome a stress-induced illness that she has been dealing with for 10 years. “I have tried to complete my public and private duties as much as ...

Royal children in line for the throne

Jul 23, 2013

Royal children in line for the throne

A list of children in line to thrones around the world, after Kate, the wife of Britain’s Prince William, gave birth the couple’s first son. Britain The baby boy is the third in line to succeed his great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, the head of ...

Prince Hisahito: the future of the monarchy?

Jul 12, 2013

Prince Hisahito: the future of the monarchy?

by Harumi Ozawa

As an expectant Britain gets royal baby fever and readies to welcome a future monarch — male or female — the young boy who carries the destiny of Japan’s Imperial family lives a life much less examined. Prince Hisahito, 6, son of Prince Akishino ...