National Jun 24, 2020
Before Wednesday's event, the most recent such ceremony to be held was on March 17.
National Jun 20, 2020
Pandemic prevents six new ambassadors from presenting credentials to Emperor Naruhito
The pandemic is delaying their meetings with the emperor, so they technically remain ambassadors-in-waiting.
National May 1, 2020
Emperor Naruhito upholds tradition and searches for role in first year of reign
The imperial couple have been receiving updates on the virus crisis from medical experts, including a private lecture at the palace on April 10.
National Apr 26, 2020
75% of public feel positive about Emperor Naruhito, survey finds
Three-quarters of the public feels positive about Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 last year, a survey shows. In the mail-in survey by Kyodo News that covered around 3,000 people 18 and older, 58 percent said they felt an affinity for ...
National / Social Issues Apr 5, 2020
Record 49% proud of Japan's history and traditions, government survey shows
The ratio of people in Japan who are proud of the country's "long history and traditions" reached a record 48.9 percent after Emperor Naruhito's accession to the throne and the start of the new imperial era last year, a recent government survey has shown. The ...
National Mar 23, 2020
Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, attended a graduation ceremony at Gakushuin Girls' Senior High School on Sunday afternoon. From April, the 18-year-old princess will study at the Department of Japanese Language and Literature at Gakushuin University's Faculty of Letters. Both ...
National Mar 19, 2020
Imperial couple's visit to Britain postponed amid virus outbreak
The planned state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to Britain in the second quarter of this year will be postponed due to the new coronavirus outbreak, Japan's top government spokesman said Thursday. "In view of the spread of new coronavirus infections in the ...
National Mar 17, 2020
The government is considering postponing a state visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to Britain scheduled for this spring due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a source. It would have been the first overseas trip by the imperial couple since the emperor's enthronement ...
National Mar 7, 2020
Japan's Imperial Household Agency on full alert against coronavirus outbreak
The Imperial Household Agency is taking precautions against the new coronavirus to protect the emperor and other members of the imperial family from infection as concern grows over the outbreak. A number of imperial events have already been canceled or postponed, and more are likely ...
National Feb 28, 2020
Events and rites related to the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito on May 1 last year came to an end on Friday. In the morning, the last such event, the Jichinsai ceremony, was held at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to purify ...
National Feb 24, 2020
Emperor Naruhito marks 60th birthday with events at Imperial Palace
Emperor Naruhito, who turned 60 on Sunday, attended a series of celebratory events at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo the same day together with his wife, Empress Masako. Events to greet well-wishers from the general public on his first birthday since he ascended the throne, ...
National Feb 23, 2020
In first birthday address, Emperor Naruhito vows to work with public on Japan's social challenges
by Magdalena Osumi
In his first birthday address since ascending the chrysanthemum throne, Emperor Naruhito pledged to stand by the people of Japan in responding to intensifying environmental and social challenges ranging from climate change to the novel coronavirus outbreak. "In this rapidly changing society, I am contemplating ...