New Year’s Celebration

On 1st January, the Imperial Family greeted the New Year.

On that day, the Ceremony to Celebrate the New Year took place at Imperial Palace.

It is the ceremony that Their Majesties Emperor and Empress receive greetings from the other members of Imperial Family; the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice-President of the House of Councillors; Diet members; the Prime Minister; Ministers of State; the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court; other government officials with Imperial attestation; Administrative Vice-Ministers of Ministries and Agencies and other leading figures of legislative, executive and judicial organs; prefectural governors and chairpersons of prefectural assemblies; and heads of diplomatic missions to Japan and their spouses. This ceremony is considered a state event.

Photo from Asahi1, 2 and Sankei

Celebration of Her Majesty’s Birthday

On 20th October, the members of Imperial Family gathered at Imperial Palace to celebrate the 84th Birthday of HM Empress Michiko.

At the evening, the private dinner was held at Imperial Residence. HIH Princess Aiko, HIH Prince Hisahito of Akishino and Ms Sayako Kuroda also attended the dinner.

Photo from Asahi and Sankei

Summer Vacation of Crown Prince Family Vol.2

On 25th August, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito, HIH Crown Princess Masako and HIH Princess Aiko arrived at Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture.
On that day, Their Imperial Highnesses enjoyed walking with their dog “Yuri” inside the Imperial Villa.

Photo from Sankei

Summer Vacation of Crown Prince Family

On 16th August, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito, HIH Crown Princess Masako and HIH Princess Aiko arrived at Suzaki Imperial Villa in Shizuoka Prefecture for summer vacation. They will stay there for about a week.

Photo from Asahi and Sankei

Princess Aiko came back

On 9th August, HIH Princess Aiko came back to Japan from United Kingdom.
HIH Princess Aiko had been joining the summer school at Eton College since 22nd July.

Photo from Asahi

UK Visit of Princess Aiko

On 22nd July, HIH Princess Aiko departed from Japan to United Kingdom to join the summer school in Eton College. HIH Princess Aiko will be back on 9th August.

In advance of the departure, on 21st July, HIH Princess Aiko visited the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries.

On that day, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito, HIH Crown Princess Masako and HIH Princess Aiko visited Imperial Palace to meet with HM Emperor Akihito and HM Empress Michiko.

Photo from Asahi1 and 2

Crown Princess Masako inherits the Tradition of Empress

On 13th May, HIH Crown Princess Masako visited Imperial Cocoonery inside Imperial Palace with HIH Crown Prince Naruhito and HIH Princess Aiko to receive a lecture about the sericulture from HM Empress Michiko. HM Emperor Akihito also attended the lecture.
The Imperial tradition of sericulture has been continued by Empresses. HIH Crown Princess Masako has expressed her hope to inherit the Imperial tradition of sericulture from HM Empress Michiko after the abdication of HM Emperor Akihito on 30th April, 2019.
After the lecture, they had lunch together at Imperial Residence.

Crown Princess Masako hopes to inherit Imperial sericulture tradition

Text from Japan Times

Crown Princess Masako has expressed her hope to inherit the Imperial tradition of sericulture from Empress Michiko, Imperial Household Agency sources said Thursday.
Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko – their only child – are set to visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Sunday and view a sericulture facility at the palace with the Imperial couple, the sources said.
According to the sources, an aide to Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako met with the Empress late last month at the Imperial Palace and informed her of the Crown Princess’ hope to succeed in the sericulture tradition.
The Empress explained how silkworms are being raised to the aide, who then viewed the sericulture facility at the Imperial Palace, the sources said.
The Imperial tradition of sericulture was initiated by Empress Shoken, the wife of Emperor Mutsuhito who reigned between 1867 and 1912 and was posthumously called Emperor Meiji. The tradition has since been continued by later empresses.
Since earlier this month, the Empress has been carrying out her last activities in sericulture, ahead of Emperor Akihito’s abdication on April 30 next year.
In May 2019, silkworms at the Imperial Palace will be taken care of by Imperial Household Agency officials because a series of events related to the Crown Prince’s ascent to the throne will keep the Imperial family busy.

Photo from Asahi

Golden Week of Imperial Family

On 3rd May, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito, HIH Crown Princess Masako and HIH Princess Aiko arrived at Imperial Farm in Tochigi Prefecture for vacation.

On 5th May, HM Emperor Akihito and HM Empress Michiko visited Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club in Tokyo.
HM Emperor Akihito and HM Empress Michiko used to play tennis there before they got married.

“Golden Week” is a week from the 29th of April to early May containing a number of Japanese holidays. A lot of people take a vacation during the week.

Photo from Asahi1 and 2

Crown Prince Naruhito turns 58

On 23rd February, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito turned 58 years old.
On the occasion of his birthday, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito atended the Press Conference took place at Crown Prince Residence.

Japan’s Crown Prince turns 58

Text from NHK World

Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito turned 58 on Friday. He will ascend the throne on May 1st of next year, one day after Emperor Akihito abdicates.
He held a news conference ahead of his birthday at his residence in central Tokyo.
The Crown Prince said he feels deeply moved and has a sense of respect for the Emperor and Empress when he reflects again on the paths they have taken.
The Crown Prince said he will keep the figures of the Emperor and Empress firmly in his heart and will always remember them when engaging in activities. He added he will also perform his duties while working hard to improve himself.
The Crown Prince talked about what an Emperor in the coming new era should be like.
He said it is important to maintain the long tradition of the Imperial Family and steadfastly fulfill the Emperor’s role as the symbol of the state, as stipulated in the Constitution.
He added that he believes another role of the Imperial Family is to think about duties in light of changes in society and act.
The Crown Prince expressed condolences to people who were affected by natural disasters in the past year. The phenomena include heavy rain in northern areas of the Kyushu region in July, the eruption of Mount Kusatsu-Shirane in January, and the heavy snow this winter.
The Crown Prince also referred to Japanese athletes at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
He said he saw gold medalists Yuzuru Hanyu and Nao Kodaira congratulate foreign rivals they have known for a long time.
The Crown Prince said he sensed deep, cross-border friendships and the presence of Japanese athletes in the world.

Photo from Asahi1, 2 and 3

New Year’s Celebration

On 1st January 2018, the members of Imperial Family attended the Ceremony of New Year’s Celebration took place at Imperial Palace.

It is the ceremony that Their Majesties Emperor and Empress receive greetings from the other members of Imperial Family; the Speaker and Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice-President of the House of Councillors; Diet members; the Prime Minister; Ministers of State; the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court; other government officials with Imperial attestation; Administrative Vice-Ministers of Ministries and Agencies and other leading figures of legislative, executive and judicial organs; prefectural governors and chairpersons of prefectural assemblies; and heads of diplomatic missions to Japan and their spouses. This ceremony is considered a state event.

It is the last time for HIH Princess Mako to attend the ceremony before her marriage.

HIH Crown Princess Masako and HIH Princess Aiko also visited Imperial Palace to greet Their Majesties.

Photo from Asahi