National Nov 16, 2019
The government’s decision to finance the Daijosai ceremony with state funds draws criticism from experts, who claim the move was taken with undue speed in order to avoid reigniting controversy over the Constitution.
National Oct 22, 2019
Future of Japan's imperial dynasty rests on shoulders of 13-year-old Prince Hisahito
by Linda Sieg
When Prince Hisahito, Japan's youngest prince, visited Bhutan in August on his first overseas trip, just months after his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, ascended to the throne, the visit was regarded as the debut of a future monarch on the world stage. Greeting his hosts in ...
National | Emperor's Enthronement Oct 22, 2019
In pictures: Emperor Naruhito's journey to the chrysanthemum throne
Crown Prince Naruhito and Emperor Akihito at the Chowa Den building in the Imperial Palace on Dec. 23. | KYODO (From left) Crown Prince Akihito, Prince Akishino, Prince Naruhito, Princess Sayako and Crown Princess Michiko in November 1972. | KYODO Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess ...
National Oct 21, 2019
Air France jet carrying imperial ceremony guest makes emergency landing at Tokyo's Haneda
An Air France jet made an emergency landing Monday at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, and a government source said its passengers included at least one foreign dignitary attending Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony. No injuries were reported as a result of the landing around 12:20 p.m. of ...
National Oct 19, 2019
Some 400 foreign VIPs are slated to attend Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony in Tokyo on Tuesday, the government said Friday. The foreign guests include Britain's Prince Charles, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, according to the government's secretariat ...
National Oct 18, 2019
South Korea PM may deliver letter from Moon to Abe on visit for Japan enthronement ceremony
by Reiji Yoshida
In media interviews published Friday, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said he intends to deliver a personal letter from President Moon Jae-in to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week in Tokyo, hoping to improve a bilateral relationship strained by historical issues and trade ...
National Oct 18, 2019
Japan's Cabinet approves postponing emperor's enthronement parade until Nov. 10
In the aftermath of the deadly typhoon last weekend, the Cabinet on Friday approved the postponement of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement parade until Nov. 10. However, the enthronement ceremony and banquet will be held as planned on Tuesday. The parade, which will wind about 5 km from ...
National / Crime & Legal Oct 18, 2019
Japan to pardon 550,000 convicts on occasion of imperial enthronement ceremony
by Magdalena Osumi
The government on Friday approved granting pardons to roughly 550,000 petty criminals in light of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony next Tuesday. The Justice Ministry said the pardons, the first since 1993, will be granted on the premise that the emperor's enthronement is "an opportunity for ...
National Jul 26, 2019
Ceremony held to kick off construction of halls for Daijosai imperial succession rite
A ceremony was held Friday on the Imperial Palace grounds to mark the start of construction of the temporary halls to be used in a key imperial succession rite this fall. Emperor Naruhito, who acceded the throne on May 1, must take part in a ...
National Jun 20, 2019
Emperor's succession rite to follow precedent despite constitutional controversy
The government approved Thursday the outline of a ritual to be held this fall to proclaim the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito before international guests, following the style adopted by his father in 1990, despite a controversy surrounding the nature of the rite. In the Sokuirei ...
National Jun 12, 2019
Emperor Emeritus Akihito concludes abdication-linked rituals with visit to Kyoto mausoleums
Emperor Emeritus Akihito concluded a series of Shin'etsu no Gi rituals related to his recent abdication with a tour of the mausoleums of two of his ancestors in Kyoto on Wednesday. The emperor emeritus, accompanied by his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko, visited the mausoleums of ...
National Jun 11, 2019
Empress emerita told to take it easy after doctors diagnose heart valve abnormalities
Empress Emerita Michiko has been diagnosed with heart valve abnormalities, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday. The 84-year-old former empress, who retired from official duties when Emperor Emeritus Akihito abdicated at the end of April, will have follow-up observations, with doctors calling for the burden ...