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 April 13, 2012, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held an audience with “… Palestinian President, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas at Togu Palace…” in Tokyo.
Finally, if you haven’t heard by now the documentary, Harmony, narrated by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and directed by Stuart Sender, will première at the Sundance London Film and Music Festival on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. So what is Harmony all about? Well…
Inspired by the passion, conviction and guiding principles of HRH The Prince of Wales, Harmony captures the vision of an authentic leader tackling critical global issues – a prince who is not afraid to actually get his hands… and feet dirty. For the better part of three decades, The Prince of Wales has worked side by side with a dynamic array of environmental activists, business leaders, artists, architects and government leaders.
Harmony is a global call to action which offers concrete solutions on how the world can meet the challenges of climate change globally, locally and personally.
New trailer for the documentary
Original trailer for the documentary
If you are interested in seeing the première of this documentary please click here. For more information about Harmony please visit the documentary’s official websitehere.
On April 12, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan held an audience with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Afterward, they attended a luncheon along with various Japanese and Bahraini dignitaries.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain also hosted a reception “… in honor of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan…” held at Akasaka Palace. Click here to read His Majesty’s speech. (in English)
In a press conference this afternoon in Tokyo, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Osamu Fujimura, announced that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko may visit Britain “…to attend a ceremony on May 18 in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne…” The Imperial Household Agency and the Japanese government are currently working out the details and plans for “possibility” of the imperial couple’s visit.
Meanwhile, Emperor Akihito met with British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Prime Minister Cameron and a British business delegation are currently on a “… week-long visit to East and South East Asia in an attempt to boost UK trade…”
On April 9, 2012, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held an audience with the Bulgarian Parliament Chairperson Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva at Akasaka Palace. The purpose of the meeting, according to the Bulgarian News Agency, was to “… strengthen ties between Japan and Bulgaria.” Ms. Tsacheva also met with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda whereupon discussions focused on, “…helping more Japanese businesses enter the East European country [Bulgaria] by improving its investment environment…”
Meanwhile, the Imperial Household Agency announced that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan:
…is expected to resume his official duties on Tuesday after they were delegated to Crown Prince Naruhito prior to the Emperor’s heart bypass surgery in February. The resumption of official duties by the emperor will be approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday…
Finally, the Japan Times — via the Imperial Household Agency — has an update regarding the health of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan. Click here to read the article in its entirety. (in English)
Sources: Bulgarian News Agency and Kyodo News via the Imperial Household Agency
Here is an interesting article from the Mainichi Daily News regarding the status of Japanese princesses and their future marriages to commoners. Click here to read the article.
Photo courtesy of Daylife via the Imperial Household Agency
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan, along with Empress Michiko, held a farewell audience at Akasaka Palace with Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait. The sheikh and emperor talked for roughly twenty minutes according to the Imperial Household Agency.
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.
