Shining a spotlight on disadvantaged people has always been important for royalty. Japan’s Crown Prince and Crown Princess have attended the 70th National Congress of the Deaf, people with hearing disabilities and those working for welfare services with these issues.
More than 2.000 people attended the important congress which is an annual event in Japan. This year the congress is marking…
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan have attended the war memorial service for those who fought in World War II.
The ceremony took place in the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo and was held for the first time in three years due to the global…
Japan's Princess Yoko leaves hospital after recovering from COVID
18th February 2022
Japan’s Princess Yoko has left hospital after recovering from COVID and pneumonia.
Her Imperial Highness was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, 16 February.
The Imperial Household said the royal’s symptoms improved with treatment and had been released…
Carriages and Kings in the Royal Collection Trust's new exhibitions
20th November 2021
In addition to hosting a series of special exhibitions in celebration of The Queen’s historic Platinum Jubilee, the Royal Collection Trust has released its upcoming shows that visitors can look forward to in 2022.
The two new exhibitions – Japan: Courts and Cultures at The Queen’s Gallery, and Masterpieces from Buckingham Palace at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, will showcase…
Japan's last Empress regnant
29th October 2021
While debates still take place in Japan on whether or not women should have succession rights and head their own branches of the Imperial Family, empress regnants have existed before in Japanese history. In fact, Japan has had eight women reign in their own right, the last…
No empress for Japan despite a lack of heirs
3rd August 2021
Despite a shrinking Imperial Family and only three people in the line of succession, Japan has decided that it will not allow women to reign in their own right.
The possibility of a female empress in Japan has popular support, but the more conservative members of the…
Japan's Princess Aiko turns 19
1st December 2020
Japan’s Princess Aiko is celebrating her 19th birthday today. She is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
To celebrate, the Imperial Household Agency released a video of the teenage royal in the gardens of the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo alongside her dog, Yuri.
She is currently enrolled in online courses, due to the pandemic, at Gakushuin University in Tokyo. She did…
Japan to hold proclamation ceremonies for Crown Prince in November
13th October 2020
Japan is set to hold its proclamation ceremonies for Crown Prince Fumihito on 8 November even as the country continues to battle COVID-19.
There had been much debate on when the ceremonies would take place due to the pandemic, but the government decided they could take…
Crown Princess of Japan says it's "important to accept daughter's feelings" on wedding
13th September 2020
During an interview for her 54th birthday on 11 September, Japan’s Crown Princess, Kiko spoke about her elder daughter’s postponed wedding.
The Crown Princess said that she wants to “respect as much as possible” the feelings of her daughter…
Japanese pundits call for Imperial Household to use social media to promote activities
29th July 2020
Japanese pundits have called on the Imperial Household to use social media, like their European and Middle Eastern counterparts, to promote their activities.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have struggled with their roles this year as many events and trips were forced to be cancelled or postponed – including a state visit to the United Kingdom.
The…