Commentary / Japan Nov 6, 2020
by Kenneth Ruoff
Whereby there are presently only two viable heirs to Japan's imperial throne, it's easy to understand the fragility of the imperial line.
National Oct 20, 2020
The former empress has spent much of the past few months at home, suffering with a mild fever since May.
National Apr 1, 2020
Former emperor and empress move to Takanawa Imperial Residence
Former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko moved to the Takanawa Imperial Residence, their temporary home, in Tokyo's Minato Ward on Tuesday. The emperor emeritus and the empress emerita had moved out of the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward after the former's abdication last year ...
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 Mar 13, 2020
Former Emperor Akihito, who abdicated last year, and his wife, former Empress Michiko, will move from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward to a temporary residence in Minato Ward this month, the Imperial Household Agency said Friday. The Imperial Palace will then undergo renovation ...
National Dec 26, 2019
Emperor, empress console victims in typhoon-hit areas of Japan's northeast
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Thursday visited areas in northeastern Japan that were hit by a powerful typhoon in October and consoled the victims of the deadly storm. The couple visited Marumori in Miyagi Prefecture as well as Motomiya in Fukushima Prefecture. Both areas ...
National Dec 24, 2019
Japan's former emperor and empress likely to celebrate new year with public
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are expected to join other members of the imperial family in greeting New Year's well-wishers, sources at the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday. If the couple attends the event, at which Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will offer ...
National Dec 23, 2019
Emperor Emeritus Akihito marks first birthday since abdication
Emperor Emeritus Akihito turned 86 on Monday, marking his first birthday since he stepped down from the chrysanthemum throne in late April to become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around 200 years. The former emperor continues to live in the Imperial Palace but ...
National / Science & Health Sep 10, 2019
Empress Emerita Michiko leaves hospital after breast cancer surgery
Empress Emerita Michiko was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital on Tuesday, two days after undergoing successful breast cancer surgery, the Imperial Household Agency said. Doctors deemed that the 84-year-old empress emerita was recovering smoothly from the surgery Sunday after observing that her appetite ...
National Sep 9, 2019
Former empress undergoes breast cancer surgery at University of Tokyo Hospital
Empress Emerita Michiko underwent successful breast cancer surgery Sunday at the University of Tokyo Hospital, the Imperial Household Agency said. A lump was found in July in the 84-year-old former empress's left breast during an echography exam, and the cancer diagnosis was confirmed after a ...
National Sep 7, 2019
Empress Emerita Michiko admitted to hospital ahead of breast cancer surgery
Empress Emerita Michiko was admitted to the University of Tokyo Hospital on Saturday, ahead of her surgery for breast cancer slated for Sunday. The 84-year-old former empress, who has been diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer with no clear signs of metastasis, will undergo the ...
National Jul 17, 2019
Emperor Emeritus Akihito suffers episode of cerebral anemia due to fatigue after medical checkup
Emperor Emeritus Akihito suffered an episode of severe cerebral anemia last week, Imperial Household Agency officials said Tuesday. The 85-year-old former emperor's anemia identified last Thursday is believed to have been the result of fatigue from a regular health checkup. He was unable to continue ...