FeaturesJapan

The world's oldest reigning monarchy

While there are several monarchies that date back over one thousand years, there is one throne that dates back over two thousand years. The Japanese monarchy, also known as the Chrysanthemum Throne, was officially founded in 440 BCE. The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world, and its official founding date is 11 February, 660 BCE. While the…
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Japan

The world's oldest living royal

The world’s oldest living royal is relatively unknown to most: Princess Yuriko of Japan. She wasn’t born royal but rather to an aristocratic father who was part of the Takagi clan. However, she did have royal relations as her mother was a second cousin of…
Japan

An exhibition in a shopping mall provides rare glimpse into daily life of Japan's Emperor

A new exhibition about the Japanese Imperial Family has opened in a shopping mall in the capital. It features clothes and other objects used by various members of the Imperial Family, both on a regular basis and for special occasions.  The main piece on show is the clothing pieces that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wore for their enthronement ceremony in 2019, which are full of…
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JapanJordan

Jordanian royals travel to Japan and meet the Emperor and Empress

King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan have travelled to Japan with their eldest child, Crown Prince Hussein, for a business visit that also included a meeting with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. The trip is an opportunity for the Jordanian King to strengthen ties between the two countries. Meetings have also been scheduled with Japan’s highest-ranking officials, from Prime…
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Japan

Japanese Prince to undergo surgery

A Japanese royal is set to undergo surgery. Prince Hitachi, 87, will undergo ureteral stone surgery at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Tokyo. The surgery will take place on 20 March and will consist of breaking apart the stones. According to the Imperial…
Japan

The line of succession to the Japanese throne

Japan may be the oldest continually hereditary monarchy in the world, but it has one of the smallest lines of succession. The line of succession is limited to males only through the Imperial Household Law. Only direct-line males may succeed to the throne. It is discussed in Chapter 1: Article 1 of the Imperial Household Law of 1947: “The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by a male…
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