The Emperor of Japan, Akihito, was greeted by tens of thousands outside the Imperial Palace who had gathered to hear his New Year’s speech.
The New Year’s speech is one of two events in which the Imperial Palace is open to the public. The other day is on the Emperor’s Birthday on the 23rd of December.
He delivered a speech from his bullet-proof balcony at the Imperial Palace in…
It’s all change for Japan!
Upon the 30th of April 2019, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito will have formally retired from the Chrysanthemum Throne, which will then pass to his elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito. Such an event will require a lot of rearrangements, and…
On the 30th of April 2019, Crown Prince Naruhito will become the next Emperor of Japan. In an event that has not been seen for two centuries the current Emperor, Akihito, will formally relinquish his position on the Japanese throne and will retreat from public life into what…
In a statement released this week by the Imperial Household Agency Empress Michiko has expressed awe and respect at her husband, Emperor Akihito’s decision to potentially abdicate in a few years because of his advancing years and failing health. She said that the announcement came as a shock to her, and caused a little pain, though she added he had obviously given a lot of thought to the…
