Commentary / Japan | SENTAKU MAGAZINE Jun 29, 2017
Imperial succession issue neglected
The Imperial family's future is endangered by the male-only paternal lineage succession rules, yet the Abe administration is taking no action.
National / Politics Jun 21, 2017
Emperor's daughter becomes supreme priestess at Ise Shrine
Sayako Kuroda, the daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, assumed the post of supreme priestess at Ise Shrine this week, the ancient Shinto shrine said.Kuroda, 48, on Monday officially replaced the 86-year-old Atsuko Ikeda, elder sister of the Emperor, who served in the ...
Editorials Jun 16, 2017
What the abdication law passed over
Like the nation's population as a whole, the Imperial family is shrinking, and the succession rules are accelerating the process.
National Jun 10, 2017
Imperial Household Agency mulls expansion in staff for abdication
The Imperial Household Agency is considering asking for more personnel to deal with the extra work expected for the abdication of Emperor Akihito.After passing on the Chrysanthemum Throne to Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito is set to become joko, a title used for retired ...
National Jun 10, 2017
Citizens welcome law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate throne
The enactment of the abdication law for Emperor Akihito draws positive reactions from the public, including fond memories of encounters with the 83-year-old monarch.
National Jun 9, 2017
Diet enacts abdication law for Emperor Akihito
by Reiji Yoshida
The Diet enacts a special law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, shifting public attention to the date for the rare event.
National Jun 8, 2017
Princess Mako returns from nine-day trip to Bhutan
Princess Mako, granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, returned to Japan on Thursday after a nine-day official trip to Bhutan.The princess arrived in the morning on a commercial flight that landed at Tokyo’s Haneda airport. During her stay in Bhutan, the 25-year-old princess, ...
Language | MORNING ENGLISH Jun 5, 2017
Let's discuss the future of Japan's imperial family
Can the Imperial system survive without drastic reforms to its succession system?
National Jun 4, 2017
Princess Mako attends Bhutan flower exhibition as part of nine-day tour
Princess Mako, a granddaughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, attended the opening ceremony of the Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu on Sunday.The 25-year-old daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko is on a nine-day visit to Bhutan at ...
National / Politics Jun 2, 2017
Abdication bill sails through Lower House
An abdication bill drafted strictly for Emperor Akihito cleared the House of Representatives on Friday, setting the stage for its passage by the Diet on June 9.Thanks to a consensus reached by the political parties ahead of time, the Lower House approved the legislation ...
National / Politics Jun 1, 2017
Lower House panel gives nod to one-off abdication bill
by Reiji Yoshida
The Lower House Steering Committee greenlights a one-time bill to let Emperor Akihito abdicate, paving the way for passage by the chamber.
National May 30, 2017
Parties urge discussion on allowing female Imperial family branches
Currently, the Imperial House Law only allows male members to establish their own branches and makes it impossible for female members to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.