On May 12, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency released a statement from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan regarding Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations:
It is with great pleasure that together with the Empress I will visit the United Kingdom to attend a luncheon in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to which she has invited monarchs of various countries. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Her Majesty for this invitation.
The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held soon after World War II, in June 1953, the year after the Treaty of Peace with Japan went into effect. At that time, being 19 years old, I attended the ceremony representing Emperor Showa, and taking that opportunity, visited quite a few countries in Europe and North America, a trip during which I learned and experienced so much.
To read the statement in its entirety please click here.(in English)
Source: The Mainichi via the Imperial Household Agency Press Release.
On May 9, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan welcomed the Peruvian President, Mr. Ollanta Humala, and his lovely wife Nadine, to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The president participated in a brief meeting with Emperor Akihito whereupon discussions focused on “… economic and educational cooperation…” Afterward the Emperor and Empress of Japan hosted a fabulous luncheon for their guests at the Imperial Palace.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency announced that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will “… visit Britain for the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne…”
The Imperial couple will arrive on “… May 16 and are scheduled to attend a luncheon hosted by the queen at Windsor Castle near London on May 18…”
Source: Japan Today via the Imperial Household Agency
On May 3, 2012, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan along with their daughter, Princess Aiko, arrived at the “… JR Nasushiobara Station in the Tochigi Prefecture…” where they will “…spend the latter half of the Golden Week holiday period at the local Nasu Imperial Villa.”
And, finally, on Tuesday, May 2, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency announced that Their Imperial Majesties played tennis together for roughly a half an hour. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko “… teamed up to play doubles against agency staff members…the emperor has also been playing table tennis as part of his rehab exercises.”
Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited the Tokyo Sky Tree aka world’s tallest “freestanding broadcasting” tower in Tokyo, Japan on April 26, 2012.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, “The imperial couple viewed the sight of Tokyo on the 450-meter second deck after hearing an explanation about the 634-meter tower.”
The Tokyo Sky Tree will be opened to the public beginning on May 22, 2012. For more information about this amazing structure please visit the Tokyo Sky Tree’s official websitehere.(in English)
The Imperial Household Agency in Japan announced on April 24, 2012, that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will “… visit Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest stand-alone communications tower and Tokyo’s newest tourist attraction…” on April 26, 2012.
Click here for more information from the Mainichi Daily News.
On April 19, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan hosted a lovely garden party for “… 2,500 dignitaries and foreign envoys…” at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. Also, in attendance were His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and the Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Yoshihiko Noda to name a few.
On May 12, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency released a statement from His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan regarding Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Diamond Jubilee celebrations:
The Royal Correspondent 