National May 28, 2020
Former Emperor Akihito visits palace for first time since March
The emperor emeritus, who abdicated on April 30 last year, had been refraining from going out due to the coronavirus pandemic.
National Mar 19, 2020
Japan's former emperor and empress move out of palace after 26 years
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko on Thursday moved out of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, their home since 1993, in a first step toward swapping residences with the current emperor and his family. The couple will first stay at the Hayama Imperial Villa ...
National Dec 30, 2019
Government asked that new imperial name come from 'Manyoshu' just nine days before announcement
The government asked the literary scholar who proposed "Reiwa" as the current era name to come up with a candidate from the "Manyoshu," Japan's oldest known poetry anthology, just nine days before the name was to be announced, according to sources. The sources also said ...
Issues | LAW OF THE LAND Dec 23, 2019
The Reiwa Daijosai: Pomp, circumstance and litigation
by Colin P.A. Jones
The separation of church and state in Japan comes under scrutiny in the new era. However, we've been down this road before.
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 ...