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 ...
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 ...
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.
Emperor Naruhito, joined by Empress Masako, visited the mausoleums of his grandfather and great grandfather in Tokyo on Tuesday, concluding a series of visits to imperial mausoleums since the completion of key succession rituals. The imperial couple separately offered tributes at the mausoleum of Emperor ...
Princess Aiko turns 18 as she enjoys final year of high school
Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 18 on Sunday, enjoying her last year in high school as she prepares to move on for further studies at university starting next spring. The cello-loving princess, currently a third-year student at Gakushuin ...
LDP heavyweights indicate tacit support for emperors from maternal line
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshihiro Nikai suggested Tuesday that he would not necessarily oppose ascension to the throne by the children of imperial family women. A similar view was expressed on television Sunday by the ruling party's tax panel chief, Akira Amari, who is close ...
The British monarchy needs to get serious about brand management
Sweden's experience shows that smaller and cheaper reigning houses are better investments.
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 ...
Emperor departs for Grand Shrines of Ise to mark end of enthronement rites
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left Tokyo on Thursday for the Grand Shrines of Ise for a ceremony marking the completion of two major rites signifying the emperor's enthronement. After ascending to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 following his father's abdication, the 59-year-old emperor ...
Conservative LDP group submits proposal to let some ex-imperial family members back into fold
With just three potential heirs to the throne, the LDP group called for enabling unmarried male members of former branches to join the imperial family.
Clandestine Japanese enthronement rite embodies tradition but is marked by controversy
The Daijosai, the most secretive and controversial part of the ceremonies, is a Shinto rite that begins on Thursday and involves the new emperor praying for peace and a rich harvest.
Some in Japanese government calling for women to head their own imperial family branches
The government is set to start talks on female members of the imperial family being allowed to maintain their royal status after marriage, by heading their own family branches, according to sources with knowledge of the matter. The proposal is seen as serving to defer ...
