Politics Sep 17, 2021
Japan should look at maternal-line emperors as option, LDP's Seiko Noda says
The current system is difficult to maintain, she said, when only men in the paternal bloodline of the imperial lineage can become emperor.
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 / Crime & Legal Nov 4, 2020
Kyoto governor sued over attendance at emperor's succession ritual
The plaintiffs claim Gov. Takatoshi Nishiwaki should return around ¥390,000 ($3,700) as his actions ran counter to the separation of religion and state.
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 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 Jan 2, 2020
Emperor Naruhito expresses hope for peaceful year in first New Year's greeting
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko also greeted well-wishers, making their first public appearance with the emperor since last year’s succession.
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 ...
National Dec 9, 2019
The Daijokyu halls, where imperial enthronement-related rites were performed last month, drew 782,081 visitors during the 18 days between Nov. 21 and Sunday when the site was open to the public. The number rose sharply from 439,780 visitors also over 18 days on the previous ...
National Nov 28, 2019
Car used in Emperor Naruhito's enthronement parade goes on display in Tokyo
Gearheads and imperial family enthusiasts got a close-up look Thursday at a specially built car that carried Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in a parade earlier this month to commemorate the emperor's enthronement. The customized convertible version of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Century luxury sedan, painted ...
National Nov 22, 2019
Japan's emperor and empress mark end of enthronement ceremonies at Ise shrine
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Grand Shrines of Ise in Mie Prefecture on Friday to mark the completion of two major rites signifying the emperor's enthronement. The couple offered prayers at the Geku outer shrine dedicated to the goddess of clothing, food and ...
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 Nov 9, 2019
Idol group Arashi sing at festival held to mark emperor's enthronement
Popular all-male idol group Arashi sang at a national festival Saturday to celebrate the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito, with the event attended by the imperial couple. The festival was held at the Imperial Palace Plaza in central Tokyo during the afternoon, beginning with a procession ...