On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan held an audience with the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Ms. Gursharan Kaur, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Afterward, the emperor and empress hosted a luncheon in honor of Prime Minister Singh’s three-day visit to Japan.
Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan arrived at the Tottori Hanakairo Flower Park in Nanbu yesterday afternoon to participate in a “…tree planting ceremony.”
According to the Mainichi News, the emperor planted a planted red pine and quercus serrata saplings, while the empress planted Japanese bird cherry and Japanese dogwood.”
Meanwhile in Tokyo, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan “…attended a ceremony at [the] Gakushuin Kindergarten to commemorate the reconstruction and reopening in 1963 of the kindergarten which was destroyed in 1945 during World War II…”
News Report About the Upcoming Trip
It was announced by the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan will visit Spain beginning on June 10-16, 2013. Unfortunately, Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan will not accompany her husband during the upcoming official visit to “…mark the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Spain.”
In other news, the IHA also announced that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will scale back on several of their “…public duties once Their Majesties turn 80 years old [at the end of the year].” The engagements, which includes visiting homes for the elderly, will be taken over by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako as well as by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
And, finally, this morning at the Imperial Palace in Japan, His Imperial Majesty participated in the “…ceremonial transplanting of rice seedlings in a paddy; an annual tradition which was started by his father, Emperor Showa, to promote production of rice, Japan’s staple food…” according to NHK News.
On May 9, 2013, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan presented the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to “…40 foreign nationals…”
According to the Japan Daily Press the recipients were awarded this high honor for their, “…distinguished achievements in international relations, promoting Japanese culture in an international setting, advancement in their specific fields, excellence in social work or environmental work.”
This afternoon in Tokyo, Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan arrived at the Imperial Palace to met with Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan. And, that’s just about it. Nice to see the crown princess out and about for a few seconds. 🙂
After spending several days in the Netherlands to attend the investiture of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan have finally returned home to Tokyo this morning.
Upon their arrival at the Haneda Airport the imperial couple were warmly greeted by the President of the House of Councilors, Mr. Kenji Hirata, as well as other government officials. Soon, the crown prince and crown princess arrived at Togu Palace where they were greeted by their lovely daughter, Princess Aiko of Japan.
The Imperial Household Agency issued a statement from Crown Princess Masako regarding her visit to the Netherlands, “…we are very pleased that we were able to visit the Netherlands together to attend the coronation. I have received from the people a warm welcome and understanding so far… I would like to sincerely thank them and also to the public.”
On May 2, 2013, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan met with various Japanese and Dutch officials in the lobby of their hotel in Amsterdam, Netherlands prior to departing for the Schiphol International airport.
The Royal Correspondent 