Princess Ayako of Takamodo, a member of the Imperial House of Japan, has visited the Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden for its 50th anniversary.
The Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden in Canada welcomed Japanese royalty as it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
John Harding, who chairs the anniversary committee, said that the garden is meaningful as it highlights the connections between Japan and Canada.
This…
Princess Mako’s engagement announcement postponed because of deadly rains in Kyushu
7th July 2017
The official announcement of Princess Mako of Akishino’s engagement to Kei Komuro has been postponed in light of the deadly rains in Kyushu. Heavy rains continue to pelt the Kyushu island, and so far seven people have died, while hundreds remain trapped by…
Those following Japanese politics would be familiar with the impending abdication of the current ruling Emperor, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito. At first only being suggested through an indirect comment in a TV address earlier last year, the gears of Japanese…
Last year His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Akihito of Japan, discretely indicated in a speech that he desired to retire from his lofty position in a rare televised address.
Citing his advancing age and declining health, he expressed his “worries that it may become difficult for [him] to carry out [his] duties as the symbol of the state” effectively. He also indicated doubts that the…
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…
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 sense of cultural tradition that links modern Japan with its past. Unfortunately, however, it would seem that His Imperial…
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito of Japan, opened the Japanese National Diet this Friday. Reading a prepared speech within the upper assembly, it marks Japan’s 189th Ordinary Session since the first Imperial Diet was opened by Emperor Meiji on 29 November 1890.
In…
The traditional “Waka” poems, penned by the Imperial Family, and ten selected works from the public, were recited at the annual New Year event in the Matsunoma main hall in the Imperial Palace. The theme of this year’s poems was “no”, which…
According to a government source, the Japanese government has been considering the possibility of Crown Prince Naruhito acceding to the Chrysanthemum Throne ahead of schedule.
During a rare televised address last August, Emperor Akihito of Japan first alluded to a possible desire to step down from service and pass the role of Emperor to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The wish was not expressed…
