Features

In Pictures: Emperor Akihito's reign

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21st December 2023
Emperor Akihito is marking his 90th birthday on December 23rd 2023. He took the throne upon the death of his father, Emperor Shōwa, on 7 January 1989 and abdicated in 2018.Let’s take a look at Emperor Akihito’s life in photos:[getty src=”1041868616″ width=”594″ height=”393″]The Emperor pictured in traditional dress for his enthronement…
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Japan

Emperor Akihito abdicates the Chrysanthemum Throne

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30th April 2019
Emperor Akihito, 85, has officially abdicated the Chrysanthemum Throne in a live ceremony “Taiirei Seiden no Gi” aired on Japanese television. The quick 10-minute ceremony took place at 5.00 pm local time in the State Room of the Imperial Palace where around 300…
Japan

Abdication rituals begin in Japan as Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate later today

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30th April 2019
Emperor Akihito has begun the abdication rituals today at the Shinto shrine. Today marks the final day of the Heisei imperial era. Tomorrow, Japan’s new era, Reiwa begins. The 85-year-old Emperor was dressed in traditional clothing as he entered the Shrine of Kashikodokoro to report his abdication. The traditional robes worn by the Emperor are similar to those worn back in 1990 when he…
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International royalsJapan

Japan's Imperial couple return to Tokyo after last trip outside capital before Emperor's abdication

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20th April 2019
Emperor Akihito of Japan and his wife, Empress Michiko returned to Tokyo on Friday after a three-day trip to the Mie Prefecture. There were several ceremonies at the Grand Shrines of Ise where the Emperor reported his upcoming abdication. They arrived on Wednesday at the Kintetsu Railway Co.’s Ujiyamada Station in Ise to a crowd of about 3,500. A further 1,500 people took part in a lantern…
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Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako graduates from university and expresses wish that her sister be happy

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24th March 2019
Princess Kako graduated from the International Christian University, her elder sister’s alma mater, in Tokyo on Friday and used written answers to press questions to indicate not only what she looked forward to, but some would say a very modern approach to marriage for Japan but one that has born success recently in the United Kingdom. When asked about the possible postponement of her…
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