Japan

The Crown Prince of Japan calls for wider use of sign language

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…
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HistoryInterests

Carriages and Kings in the Royal Collection Trust's new exhibitions

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…
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HistoryJapan

Japan's last Empress regnant

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…
Japan

No empress for Japan despite a lack of heirs

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

Japan's Princess Aiko turns 19

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…
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Japan

Japanese pundits call for Imperial Household to use social media to promote activities

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…
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