Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan continued their two-day visit to the Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan this afternoon.  Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.

Their Imperial Majesties were scheduled to visit a peach farm in Koori this morning, but due to heavy rain and thunderstorms they were forced to cancel.  Instead, the emperor and empress met with the farmers at a hotel in Fukushima City.

During their meeting discussions focused on the farmers struggles “…with decontamination and reputational damage since the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Plant triggered by the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami” according to Kyodo News.  Their Imperial Majesties were sympathetic to the farmers and offered them “…many words of encouragement…”

On Monday, July 22, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan boarded a train in Tokyo headed towards the Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan to begin their two-day visit to the region.

This will be the third visit for Their Imperial Majesties to the area since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster caused by the March 11, 2011, earthquake off the Tōhoku coast and the devastating tsunami that followed. 

Their first stop was to the village of Iitate.  Upon their arrival the emperor and empress were warmly greeted by local government officials.  Thereafter, Their Imperial Majesties visited a “…temporary building which houses a three elementary schools and a precision machinery component factory…” according to Kyodo News.

Tomorrow, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit the village of Koori where they will tour peach farms.

On the evening of July 18, 2013, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan arrived at the Bunkamura Orchard Concert Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, to attend a charity concert.  Proceeds from yesterday’s concert were donated to various childrens Cancer charities in Japan. 

Video news report about the upcoming trip.

It was announced this morning via a press release from the Imperial Household Agency that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will make an official visit to India beginning November 30, 2013.  The purpose of the one-week visit, which will take them to the cities of Delhi and Chennai, is to strengthen bilateral relations between Japan and India.   

According to Kyodo News the Imperial Household Agency is “…making efforts to ensure the trip does not put a strain…” on the elderly emperor and empress.

On July 8, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan arrived at the Japan Art Academy Hall of Taito in Tokyo to preside over the 2013 Japan Art Academy awards ceremony.  The Japan Art Academy Award is presented to an individual who has made remarkable achievements in the field of art and architecture. 

Afterward, Their Imperial Majesties accompanied by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan and Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan attended “…a tea ceremony, held at the Imperial Palace, with the winners of the Japan Art Academy awards” according to Kyodo News.