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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Turtle-shell divination conducted at Imperial Palace in Tokyo ahead of key succession rite
The ceremony selects Tochigi and Kyoto prefectures to provide the rice for the upcoming Daijosai offering ceremony in mid-November.
Reiwa calligraphy to be stored at National Archives, made available for commercial use
The government plans to preserve the original calligraphic work Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga displayed when announcing the new era name of Reiwa at the National Archives of Japan, according to government sources. The archived material will be made public from the spring of 2021. ...
In first palace ritual of his reign, Japan's emperor reports enthronement plans to his ancestors
Emperor Naruhito performed his first formal ritual within the Imperial Palace on Wednesday following his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne last week, ceremonially reporting to his ancestors that he will take part in major enthronement rites this fall. The emperor read out a statement at ...
Back to the grind: Workers in Japan return after extended Golden Week holiday
The nation went back to work following this year's unprecedented 10-day Golden Week holiday on Tuesday — the first working day of the Reiwa Era. Naoto Tokunaga, 24, showed up at his office near Tokyo Station 30 minutes earlier than usual because he was impatient ...
Drone flights reported again near Imperial Palace in Tokyo in wake of ascension
Riot police observed what they thought was a drone flying over the Kitanomaru Garden located just north of the palace at around 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Nagano mountain hut owner hopes emperor will not give up passion for trekking
The owner of a hut on the Yatsugatake mountain range hopes newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito will not give up his passion for trekking. The 59-year-old emperor, who ascended the throne Wednesday, is known to be very fond of outdoor activities including skiing and jogging, but ...
Future role of Japan's imperial women in spotlight as family numbers decline
The ascension of Emperor Naruhito has raised questions about how public duties should be shouldered in an ever-shrinking household.
140,000 people greet Japan's Emperor Naruhito as he makes first public appearance since accession
Emperor Naruhito expressed his hopes for progress toward world peace on Saturday at the Imperial Palace, where tens of thousands of people gathered to witness his first public greeting since ascending to the throne on May 1. "I am deeply blessed and grateful for everyone ...
Tokyo police investigating drone flights near imperial residences a day after emperor's accession
The unmanned aircraft were seen Thursday night near the Imperial Palace, the Akasaka Estate — the current home of Emperor Naruhito — and the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji.
