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 public celebration was able to take place this year, there were still restrictions in place. The crowd was limited to only…
Japan: A look back at the royal year focused on a not so royal wedding and the Olympics
24th December 2021
A not-so-royal wedding, the Olympics and remorse for war were the headlines coming out of Japan about the Imperial Family.
Most notably would be the wedding of former Princess Mako and her commoner husband, Kei Komuro. Though often and incorrectly, compared to Harry and…
The Imperial Household Agency has announced this week that Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino is set to pay her first official visit abroad in September. The Princess will be travelling to Austria and Hungary to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the institution…
The Japanese Monarchy is the oldest monarchy in the world, and that becomes very clear from the moment you come across the succession law that governs it.
We are now in 2019, and women are still not allowed to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne which is unacceptable in the world today where the principles of gender equality are so desperately important.
The succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne…
Her Imperial Highness The Princess Akishino – better known as Princess Kiko, the daughter-in-law of Emperor Akihito – made a visit to the Children’s Book Museum in The Hague this week. The Princess is known for her interest in and promotion of children’s literature…
Japan is now poised to create a one-time law to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate the throne in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, and so the official debate is turning to the finer details. In particular need of clarity is the appropriate title for a former…
Japan’s ruling party to support one-off legislation for Emperor’s abdication
14th February 2017
It was announced this week that Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have decided to support the creation of a one-time-use mechanism to legally allow 83-year-old Emperor Akihito to abdicate.
The decision was made after a number of meetings to decide the matter and is controversial in that it directly contradicts the views of the main opposition party – the Democrats – who have argued for…
Although the Emperor of Japan is afforded no political powers by the Japanese Constitution, he still must attend to numerous other ceremonial duties, such as his opening of the Japanese National Diet earlier this year. Many of these are purely ceremonial, maintained out of a…
The Imperial Household Agency released a video for New Year’s Day showing members of the Imperial Family together. The video does not have any sound but it shows Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, their two sons, Crown Prince Naruhito and Fumihito, Prince Akishino and…
Round up of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde State Visit to Japan
15th October 2016
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have ended their 5-day state visit to Japan today. Emperor Akihito invited the royal couple. Here’s a summary of all the most important activities.
Close Ties
The ties between Belgium and Japan are very close. But it is not only the two nations that are close. The Belgian Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family are known to have a very good…
