International royalsJapanThailand

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko to Attend the Late King of Thailand's Funeral

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11th October 2017
It has been confirmed that His Imperial Highness, Prince Akishino of Japan and his wife Princess Kiko will be attending the funerary ceremonies of the late King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, due to be held from the 26 October. There they will represent Japan as Thailand and the extended global community pay their last respects to Thailand’s longest reigning monarch, and the…
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Japan

2019 abdication date gaining traction in Imperial Household Agency

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14th August 2017
Ever since His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito, formally announced his intention to abdicate the Japanese throne in a rare televised address last year, the island nation of Japan has been somewhat abuzz with speculation as to what exactly such an occurrence would entail. With no abdication of a Japanese Emperor since Emperor Kokaku in 1817, and no provisions laid out in the 1947 Japanese…
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Japan

Japan enacts law allowing Emperor to abdicate

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9th June 2017
Japan’s National Diet, the country’s bicameral legislature, has passed a law to allow 83-year-old Emperor Akihito to abdicate. Japan’s Cabinet approved the bill at the end of May. His Imperial Majesty will be the first monarch in Japan to abdicate for…
Japan

New survey shows most Japanese support permanent abdication solution

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3rd May 2017
Last year, in a rare public message, Japan’s Emperor Akihito expressed his desire to abdicate because of his advanced age. The most recent update stated that Japan’s government plans to hold the abdication ceremony for Akihito next year. A survey conducted by Kyodo News on Monday showed that the majority of the Japanese public support the creation of a permanent…
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Japan

Empress Michiko of Japan is ill

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13th December 2016
Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan is ill. This was announced in an official statement from the Imperial Household Agency yesterday, on Monday, 12 December. Empress Michiko, age 82, was diagnosed with acute bronchitis last Friday after suffering a slight fever and cough. The Empress has cancelled a planned appearance at a karate event. On Sunday according to the official statement, she…
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