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…
We are taking a look back at the wedding of the Emperor and Empress of Japan:
Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan’s engagement to diplomat Masako Owada was announced on 19 January 1993. The pair had become engaged on Masako’s 29 birthday, 9 December 1992; Masako…
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…
An exhibition in a shopping mall provides rare glimpse into daily life of Japan's Emperor
24th May 2023
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…
British royals mark a path - and Japan reprises the tradition of garden parties after 4 years!
13th May 2023
Japan’s royal life is slowly returning to normal, and the Imperial Family hosted its first garden party of the Reiwa era, the first such event in more than four years.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other members of the Imperial Family arrived in the gardens at…
The first foreign royal guests have been confirmed for Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan’s June wedding to his Saudi fiancee Rajwa Al Saif.
The Japanese Cabinet has approved the travel of Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko to Jordan for the wedding, confirming the…
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…
The Japanese Imperial Household has announced the launch of a new public relations affairs office, which will be in charge of creating a new system to convey information between the Japanese Imperial Family and the public.
Until this point, this task fell…
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 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…
