Category Archives: Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Family of Japan

HIH Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Visits Spain. (VIDEOS)

On Monday, June 10, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan accompanied by his delegation arrived at the Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas to begin his seven-day official visit to Spain.  The purpose of the crown prince’s visit is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations and exchanges between Japan and Spain since a mission was dispatched by the Japanese feudal lord, Date Masamune, to Spain in 1613.

After landing at the airport, the crown prince was driven to Palacio Real de El Pardo in Madrid where His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias warmly welcomed the future emperor to Spain.  After an official welcoming ceremony and the inspection of the guards His Imperial Highness and Prince Felipe held a private meeting.

This morning, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Felipe attended the first meeting of the Comité Bilateral de Cooperación Empresarial Hispano Japonés held at the Real Casa de la Mondeda in Madrid.

In the afternoon, Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Asturias and Her Royal Highness Infanta Elena of Spain hosted a luncheon at  Palacio de la Zarzuela for His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito and his delegation.

FleaandNaruhitoOnce lunch was over the crown prince and prince attended the inauguration of the exhibition, Sin Perder Contra la Lluvia: Una Visión de la Reconstrucción Tras el Tsunami de Japón, held at the Centro Cultural Conde Duque in Madrid.  The exhibition shows photos as well as documents displaying the devastation brought on by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that devastated the prefectures of Miyagi and Fukushima located in northeastern Japan.  A highlight of the exhibit are photos of “…the heros of Fukishima…” by Japanese photojournalist, Mr. Kazuma Obara.

In the evening, the crown prince accompanied by the prince and princess arrived at the Teatro Real in Madrid to attend a concert in celebration of the year of Japanese and Spanish relations.

During tonight’s concert Crown Prince Naruhito and Their Royal Highnesses along with hundreds of guests watch Japanese flamenco dancer, Mr. Shoji Kojima accompanied by Spanish flamenco singer, Mr. Miguel Poveda.  They also listed to music composed by famed Japanese pianist, Ms. Mine Kawakami.

Imperial Family of Japan

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Departs for Spain. Plus, News Regarding His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan. (VIDEOS)

On the early morning of June 10, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan departed from Haneda International Airport to begin his seven-day official visit to Spain.  The purpose of the crown prince’s visit is to celebrate the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Spain.  Prior to his departure the crown prince and the crown princess posed for photographers outside their home in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan arrived at the Imperial Graveyard of Toshimagaoka in Tokyo to visit the tomb of His Imperial Highness the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa.  The prince passed away last year at the age of 66.  Unfortunately, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko was unable to attend.  According to the Imperial Household Agency the 78-year-old empress was “…feeling quite unwell...”  Nevertheless, the emperor was not alone when he paid his respects to the late prince this morning.  The emperor was accompanied by the late prince’s daughters, Princess Akiko and Princess Yoko of Mikasa.

Imperial Family of Japan

News Regarding TIHs Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan. (VIDEOS)

On June 9, 2013, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

***UPDATE: The Imperial couple did spend their special day together.  The crown prince and crown princess held a private dinner with Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.  Afterward, Crown Prince Naruhito boarded a plane and flew to Spain where he begin his seven-day official visit on June 10.

The purpose of the visit is“…to help further promote bilateral exchanges that have a long history” as well as to “…mark the 400th anniversary of bilateral exchanges since a mission was dispatched by Japanese feudal lord Date Masamune to Spain in 1613.”

Introduction of Masako Owada

Engagement press conference.

Rare footage of the imperial couple on their way to their traditional Shinto wedding ceremony

June 9, 1993

NaruhitoMasako

Japantrc

Imperial Family of Japan

TIMs Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan Welcome French President, François Hollande, to Tokyo. (VIDEOS)

On Friday, June 7, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan officially welcomed the president of France, Mr. François Hollande, and his partner, Ms. Valerie Trierweiler, to Tokyo.

After an official welcoming ceremony at the Imperial Palace the emperor and empress hosted a gala dinner in the evening on honor of President Hollande visit to Tokyo, Japan.

The president and his delegation will remain in Japan for the next three days where they will met with various Japanese government leaders and businessmen.  The purpose of the visit is to strengthen bilateral ties between Japan and France as well as to “…deepen their cooperation on nuclear technology and to discuss joint development of military equipment, vowing to raise the tenor of their partnership.”

Imperial Family of Japan

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Holds a Press Conference. (VIDEO)

His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held a press conference this morning at Togu Palace in Tokyo to discuss his upcoming six-day official visit to Spain.

The future emperor of Japan also spoke about his lovely wife, Crown Princess Masako, and their recent trip to the Netherlands, “I believe successfully completing the overseas trip gave Masako confidence.  She feels much better…”

His Imperial Highness’s visit to Spain begins on June 10-16, 2013.  The purpose of the trip according to the crown prince is to “…help further promote bilateral exchanges that have a long history” as well as to “…mark the 400th anniversary of bilateral exchanges since a mission was dispatched by Japanese feudal lord Date Masamune to Spain in 1613.”