Commentary / World Aug 12, 2020
Rich royals face a millennial COVID-19 reckoning
by Lionel Laurent
Former King Juan Carlos’s self-exile from Spain is a warning to monarchs everywhere as the virus ramps up social tensions.
World Jan 11, 2020
Harry and Meghan would find friendlier media in Canada but no foolproof way to escape scrutiny
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan can expect less intense local media scrutiny than they have faced in Britain should they move to Canada, experts said on Friday, though international press attention will be impossible to avoid. Meghan returned to Canada to be with their ...
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 Jan 1, 2020
Emperor Naruhito uses first New Year's address to express hopes for disaster-free year
Emperor Naruhito, in a message released at the beginning of his first full year as the symbol of state, says he hopes 2020 will be one free of major disasters.
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 ...
World Dec 26, 2019
Britain's scandal-hit Prince Andrew skips Christmas Day walk after royals' 'bumpy' year
Britain's Prince Andrew skipped the royals' traditional Christmas Day walk to church after what his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, said in her seasonal address had been a "bumpy" year. Andrew has kept a low profile since stepping down from royal duties last month amid outrage ...
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 ...
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 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 Dec 8, 2019
Prince Hisahito, Princess Kako attend Tokyo speech event for children
Prince Hisahito and his elder sister, Princess Kako, attended a speech event for boys and girls in Tokyo on Sunday. The two showed up at a public event together without being accompanied by any other imperial family member for the first time, according to the ...
National Dec 7, 2019
Due to differing opinions within ruling party, debate on imperial succession issue is postponed
The government has decided to postpone holding full-fledged talks on how to achieve a stable imperial succession due to differing views even within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.