According to the Mainichi Daily News, via The Imperial Household Agency, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan cancelled his appointments for this week after coming down with a severe case of Influenza.
The future Emperor was “…scheduled to pay a visit to a calligraphy exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum on Monday and receive ambassadors posted in Japan at Togu Palace on Tuesday.”
Recently, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held a news conference at Togu Palace on the occasion of his 53rd birthday. The heir to the Chrysanthemum throne spoke about his father, Emperor Akihito, his only daughter, Princess Aiko, and much more.
Please click here to read what the crown prince had to say during the press conference (in English).
Photo courtesy of IHA via A. Shimbun
On January 28, 2013, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan officially opened the ordinary DIET session in the upper house of parliament. Please click here for more information about today’s opening from the Mainichi Daily News.
On January 16, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attended the 2013 New Year Poetry Reading Ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
During the ceremony, which was also attended by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito as well as other members of the imperial family, the emperor “… recited his own poem about Okinawa…” according to the Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbum.
For more information about yesterday’s event please click here (in English).
On January 2, 2013, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan made a balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The imperial couple, along with other members of the family including His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, waved to “…78,000 cheering supporters…” who gathered in the East Plaza at palace to wish the emperor and his family a Happy New Year.
Emperor Akihito also made a speech in which he “… urged the people of Japan to help those affected by the March 2011 disasters and together tackle challenges in the reconstruction efforts…”
To read more about today’s balcony appearance please click here.
And, finally the Japanese newspaper, Japan Times, has a new article regarding the “…growing concerns over ways to reduce [the] duties of [the] aging emperor…”
Please click here to read the article.
Photo courtesy of Asahi Shimbun
The Imperial Household Agency released His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan’s New Year message to his people on January 1, 2013. Here is what the emperor had to say:
“A second winter since the Great East Japan Earthquake has come around. At the dawn of the new year, my heart goes out to the afflicted people, those who cannot return to the places they used to live because of radioactive contamination and those who have to spend the cold harsh winter in temporary housing. I sincerely hope that, in the future, the experience of the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami will be fully utilized in disaster prevention education and town planning so that the country moves towards assuring safety and security in the lives of the people.
Our country is now going through difficult times because of the earthquake and other factors, but it is my wish that the people’s hearts will always be with the afflicted, and that everyone will support one another to overcome the various challenges.
It is my hope that the new year will be better, even a little, for the people of Japan and the people of the world.”
At a press conference on December 22, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan spoke about his son, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Naruhito. Please click here for more information from Asia One News.
The Royal Correspondent 