Abdication of Emperor Akihito

On 30th April, the Ceremony of the Abdication of HM Empero Akihito at the Seiden (State Hall) was held.
Upon abdication, HM Emperor Akihito becomes Emperor Emeritus and HM Empress Michiko becomes Empress Emerita.

Addresses by His Majesty the Emperor

Text from Imperial Household Agency

Today, I am concluding my duties as the Emperor.

I would like to offer my deep gratitude to the words just spoken by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on behalf of the people of Japan.

Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the Emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to do so. I sincerely thank the people who accepted and supported me in my role as the symbol of the State.

I sincerely wish, together with the Empress, that the Reiwa era, which begins tomorrow, will be a stable and fruitful one, and I pray, with all my heart, for peace and happiness for all the people in Japan and around the world.

Photo from Mainichi

Imperial New Year’s Lecture

On 11th January, the members of Imperial Family attended the Ceremony of Kosho Hajime (Imperial New Year’s Lecture) took place at Imperial Palace.

This is an annual ceremony in which Their Majesties listen to experts’ explanations in the fields of human, social and natural sciences in their respective field. It became the last time for Their Majesties to attend the Ceremony of Kosho Hajime before the abdication of HM Emperor Akihito on 30th April.

Photo from Mainichi

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 Emperor’s Birthday

On 23rd December, the several ceremonies to celebrate the birthday of HM Emperor Akihito took place at Imperial Palace.

Public Greeting

Luncheon

Tea Party with the ambassadors

At the evening, the grandchildren of HM Emperor Akihito also visited Imperial Palace to celebrate the Emperor’s Birthday.

Photo from Sankei

Final Garden Party

On 9th November, the Autumn Imperial Garden Party held by Their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko took place at Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo.
It became the last time for Their Majesties to hold the Imperial Garden Party before the abdication of His Majesty.

Photo from Asahi

Remembering Prince Mikasa

On 27th October, the ritual to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the death of late Prince Mikasa (1915-2016) took place at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo.
HIH Princess Yuriko of Mikasa and the other members of Imperial Family attended the ritual.

Photo from Sankei

Departed for France

On 7th September, HIH Crown Prince Naruhito departed for French Republich. The members of Imperial Family gave him a send-off at Crown Prince Residence.

Photo from Asahi

Remembering Prince Katsura

On 8th June, the memorial service for late Prince Yoshihito of Katsura (1948-2014) was held at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery.

Photo from Sankei

Pacific Islands Leaders

On 17th May, HM Emperor Akihito and HM Empress Michiko held the tea party for the Pacific Islands Leaders who attend the 8th PALM (Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting) at Imperial Palace.
HIH Crown Prince Naruhito and the other members of Imperial Family also attended the tea party.

Photo from Sankei

Spring Imperial Garden Party

On 25th April, HM Emperor Akihito and HM Empress Michiko held Spring Imperial Garden Party at Akasaka Imperial Garden and about 2,500 people were invited.

The other members of Imperial Family also attended the party.

Photo from Mainichi, AFP and Asahi