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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Japan

Japan's Prince Hitachi hospitalised

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…
Japan

Japan's Princess Aiko finally able to attend in-person classes

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…
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Japan

A first for Emperor Naruhito’s reign

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…
Japan

Emperor Naruhito opens a monumental year with a speech full of hope

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…
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Asian RoyalsJapan

Important Japanese royal event to resume

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…
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