imperial family
April 23, 2013
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit India, probably around the fall, to belatedly celebrate last year's 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
April 19, 2013
A Nobel Prize winner and an astronaut were among the guests at a spring garden party hosted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on April 18 at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens...
April 10, 2013
A religious studies scholar, citing the health of Crown Princess Masako, has stirred controversy by calling on Crown Prince Naruhito to abdicate his position as first in line...
April 08, 2013
Prince Hisahito attended the entrance ceremony of Ochanomizu University Elementary School in Tokyo on April 7, the first imperial family member in postwar Japan to enroll in an ...
March 29, 2013
Much of the country lay in ruins, and Japan's war-weary population had more shocks in store from U.S.-led occupation forces that arrived in late August 1945.
January 30, 2013
Although her public appearances have dwindled in number, Crown Princess Masako has consistently smiled for the cameras and waved to the crowds. But the princess’ emotional...
November 30, 2012
Prince Fumihito, second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, turned 47 on Nov. 30 and said his father, Emperor Akihito, is steadily recovering from heart bypass surgery.
July 13, 2012
In his seven years as grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency, Shingo Haketa has an abiding memory of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko: Their heartfelt concern for...
June 07, 2012
Even when he was in the hospital for cancer treatments, Prince Tomohito rarely wasted an opportunity to show off his sharp tongue.
June 06, 2012
Outspoken Prince Tomohito, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, died on June 6 at a Tokyo hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was 66.
May 18, 2012
LONDON--Emperor Akihito, currently visiting Britain with Empress Michiko, on May 17 spoke in English at the Japanese Embassy here to thank an audience of about 100 Britons who...
May 15, 2012
Emperor Akihito’s international diplomacy will come full circle with his arrival in Britain on May 16 to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
April 27, 2012
Breaking with centuries of tradition, Emperor Akihito has let it be known he wishes to be cremated in a simple ceremony after his death.
February 22, 2012
The government will soon begin consulting experts on whether to revise the Imperial Household Law to enable female members of the imperial family to retain their status even if ...
January 08, 2012
The government will start hearings in February on legal amendments to allow female members of the imperial family to retain their status after they marry commoners.
December 09, 2011
Crown Princess Masako marked her 48th birthday on Dec. 9 by expressing concern for people affected by the March disaster and saying she was encouraged by her 10-year-old...
December 07, 2011
The spacious Akasaka Estate in central Tokyo contains the residences of five imperial families, including those of heir apparent Crown Prince Naruhito and his younger brother,...
December 02, 2011
The Cabinet Secretariat and the Imperial Household Agency have started informal discussions on whether to let female members of the imperial family retain their status after...
November 25, 2011
The government will consider allowing female members of the imperial family who marry commoners to retain their status, a proposal that could rekindle discussions on whether a...
November 04, 2011
Prince Hisahito, the 5-year-old son of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, observed a rite of passage during traditional ceremonies of the imperial family on Nov. 3 at the...