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…
