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 finally accepted Naruhito’s proposal on his third attempt as she had turned him down twice before because she did not…
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…
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…
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…
First garden party of new Japanese royal era to take place
1st March 2023
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…
A first for Emperor Naruhito’s reign
26th February 2023
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…
Emperor Naruhito opens a monumental year with a speech full of hope
2nd January 2023
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…
Empress Masako of Japan was unable to attend birthday celebrations for her daughter, Princess Aiko, due to her health.
Princess Aiko turned 21 on 1 December and marked the day by visiting her grandparents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. She also…
Empress Masako kept health a priority in rare travel to attend the Queen's funeral
21st September 2022
When the plane carrying the Japanese delegation to London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral landed at Stanstead Airport, many royal watchers were surprised to see Empress Masako accompanying her husband.
She rarely makes trips outside of Japan; in fact, her last foreign visit dates back to 2015, when, still the Crown Princess, she travelled to Tonga for an official visit.
Some…