On October 25, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan hosted their annual autumn garden party in Tokyo.  Also in attendance were His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Kiko, Prince Akishino and Princess Akiko.

And, finally, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko celebrated her 78th birthday on Saturday, October 20, 2012.  Click here to read article from the newspaper, Japan Times (in English).

On October 11, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan welcomed the President of Zambia, Mr. Michael Sata and his wife  at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Click here for more information about the visit.

On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan held a welcomed ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for Their Majesties King Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Queen Haminah Hamidun of Malaysia.

Please click here for more information about the royal visit to Japan (in English).   🙂

Here (in English) is an interesting article from Japan Daily News about His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan and his potential visit to South Korea.

On August, 15, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attended a memorial service at Budokan Hall in Tokyo to “… honor the dead on the 67th anniversary of Japan’s surrender thus ending World War II [pacific theater]…”  

And, finally, tensions are rising between South Korea and China regarding Japan’s “…past military aggressions towards its Asian neighbors…”  Click here and here for more information (in English).

On July 18, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan along with His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito “… visited the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo to offer prayers to the emperor’s great-grandfather, Emperor Mutsuhito…”  Click here to view photos.

In other news, the Japanese government is “… making progress on its plans to simplify the funeral ceremony for Emperor Akihito after his request in April to be cremated.”  To read more about this latest information please click here (in English).

Sources: Daylife and Japan Daily Press

On July 10, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan held an audience with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

And, that’s it.   🙂

Click here to view photos.

Source: Kyodo News via IHA