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…
Japan’s Prince Hitachi has been
hospitalised in a Tokyo hospital. The 87-year-old uncle of Emperor
Naruhito was admitted to the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center on
the evening of 1 March as a precautionary measure after a high
fever. The Imperial Household…
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress
Masako, are reviving an imperial tradition that has not been
observed since before the global health crisis. They will host the
first garden party of the Emperor’s reign in May. The Imperial
Household Agency, the government…
Japan’s Princess Aiko is to attend
in-person university classes for the first time since beginning her
post-secondary education. Due to the global health crisis, the
Princess, who is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress
Masako, was only able to attend her classes at Gakushuin University
from her enrollment in February 2020 until this year. However, with
the pandemic…
Japanese Emperor Naruhito ascended to the
Japanese throne four years ago, after his father’s abdication, but
this is the first time he has been able to give a public birthday
address. Due to the global pandemic, the yearly tradition was
repeatedly cancelled. Though…
The Crown Prince of Japan travelled to
Hiroshima for a day of engagements, most of which were centred
around the remembrance of the infamous World War II atomic bombing.
On Thursday, 19 January, the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne
arrived at the Japan Association of Zoos…
Japanese Emperor Naruhito has released a
New Year message filled with hope for the future while also
recognising the hardships that the world is enduring. In his
traditional New Year address, the Emperor is seen sitting in a room
of the Imperial Palace alongside the Empress and their daughter,
Princess Aiko. In front of them was a statuette of a rabbit,
symbolising the entrance to this new…
Japanese Imperial Family attends charity screening of poignant movie
30th December 2022
The Japanese Imperial Family attended the
charity screening of “Dr Koto Clinic,” a movie based on a real
story of medical care in remote regions. On Wednesday, 28
December, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter,
Princess Aiko, arrived at the movie…
YEAR IN REVIEW: Threats, health scares, and new beginnings for the Japanese Imperial Family in 2022
28th December 2022
The Japanese Imperial Family has had its
share of threats and health scares throughout 2022. However, the
year was also one for new beginnings. The year started with Emperor
Naruhito’s in-person New Year greetings being cancelled again due
to the ongoing global…
The Japanese Imperial Household Agency
has announced the return of a significant traditional celebration
after being suspended for three years. It was revealed that
the Imperial Palace will reopen on the 23rd of February to allow
the public to come together to celebrate the Emperor’s
birthday. The traditional ceremony will return to mark the
Emperor’s birthday in 2023 after being…
