On March 11, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attend a memorial service to mark “… the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the north-east coast, leaving about 20,000 dead or missing” held at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.
Click the links below to watch videos as well as to view photos.
Source: BBC News
Photo courtesy of Daylife/Reuters
On Friday, March 9, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency confirmed that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan will participate in the Earthquake and Tsunami Memorial ceremony to be held at the National Theater in Tokyo, Japan.
IHA also announced that the Emperor, accompanied by Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko, will deliver a speech during the ceremony.
Rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Emperor would not participate due to his recent health problems. But, alas that isn’t the case. 🙂
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian newspaper, Kyiv Post, is reporting that Mr. Volodymyr Lytvyn, Ukrainian Speaker, has formally invited His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan for an official visit to Ukraine.
It is unknown at this time if the IHA will allow the heir to the Japanese throne to visit the country.
Finally, on March 8, 2012, Crown Prince Naruhito held an audience with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Mr. Yingluck Shinawatra at the royal palace. Click here for more information.
Source: Associated Press via IHA and Kyiv Post
On March 7, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan was at the Imperial Household Hospital for a procedure to “… have fluid removed from his chest that had accumulated since undergoing heart bypass surgery last month” which is apparently quite common after having that type of invasive surgery.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor arrived at the hospital along with Empress Michiko in the morning. Soon, doctors treating the 78-year old Emperor removed the “…fluid from his chest which had increased recently.”
Since being released from the University of Tokyo Hospital on March 4, 2012, Emperor Akihito has not recovered as well as doctors had hoped. Apparently, the Emperor has “… not been eating well, experienced shortness of breath, and has trouble walking…”
Source: AFP News via IHA
It was recently announced by the Imperial Household Agency that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan had to cancel his upcoming visit to France.
The heir to the Japanese throne was scheduled to give a speech during the 2012 World Water Forum held in Marseille, France on March 12-17. The reason for Crown Prince Naruhito’s cancellation according to the IHA, “… he will carry out official duties on behalf of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito…” The Emperor, as you may know by now, is recovering from heart bypass surgery which was performed on February 18, 2012.
Source: JiJi Press via the Imperial Household Agency
On March 4, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital after undergoing heart bypass surgery on February 18, 2012.
In a press release, the Imperial Household Agency noted that the Emperor will “…rest at home for a week…” Various sources claim that Emperor Akihito along with Empress Michiko will participate in a memorial on March 11, 2012, commemorating the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year. The memorial will take place in Tohoku, Japan.
Meanwhile, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held an audience with Vietnam’s Ambassador to Japan, Doan Xuan Hung, whereupon he presented his credentials to the heir to the Japanese throne on March 2, 2012.
Sources: Japan Times, Associated Press, and BBC News
Photo courtesy of Daylife
Per the Mainichi Daily News:
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan called for a reduction in His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito’s official duties following heart bypass surgery last week, as the first in line to the throne marked his 52nd birthday Thursday.
“Considering the Emperor’s age, it is necessary to cut down on his burden,” the eldest son of the 78-year-old Emperor said at a press conference given prior to his birthday.
“I would be more than happy to do anything if I can be of help to him,” the Crown Prince said.
The Crown Prince also said the Emperor had been complaining of slight heart discomfort for some time prior to the surgery, which was conducted Saturday after an angiogram showed a narrowing of two of his three coronary arteries.
On the introduction of an age limit for Japan’s Emperor, who currently remains on the throne for the rest of his life, the Crown Prince declined to comment specifically, only saying, “I think there are various options available” regarding how to reduce the Emperor’s burden.
The Crown Prince also refrained from clarifying his stance on whether female members of the imperial family should be allowed to create their own family branches so they can retain their imperial status after marriage.
Amid concern that the number of imperial family members will continue to decline given the large number of female members and fewer male members, the government is set to hold the first hearing on the matter later this month.
On the upcoming first anniversary of the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, the crown prince said the catastrophe has constantly been on his mind during the past year.
“I feel truly encouraged by the fact that people affected by the disaster are making efforts hand in hand toward reconstruction despite harsh conditions,” he said.
Referring to Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako, whose official duties have continued to be limited as she has been receiving treatment for stress-induced illness, he expressed hope that she will “gradually expand the range of her activities” while making her recovery “the top priority.”
Regarding their only child Her Royal Highness Princess Aiko, the Crown Prince said his daughter now feels secure at school by taking part in a brass band and field trips. She is now attending school without being accompanied by her mother.
On Thursday morning, the Crown Prince visited University of Tokyo Hospital to greet the emperor who is now recuperating from the surgery and undergoing rehabilitation.
Per the Japan Times:
His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan, who underwent heart surgery on Saturday, is recovering well and was able to drink water on Sunday morning in the intensive care unit where he is being treated, Imperial Household Agency officials said.
The agency said the Emperor asked a doctor when he can start reading books.
Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko of Japan visited University of Tokyo Hospital to see her 78-year-old husband, while many people signed books for well-wishers in front of the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.
Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino visited their father on Sunday afternoon.
Asked about the Emperor’s heart bypass surgery, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters at his official residence, “I’m relieved that it ended without complications. I want to pray for his quick recovery.”
The Emperor underwent coronary artery bypass surgery on Saturday. The operation, which lasted about four hours, ended without complications or significant bleeding, according to a team of physicians from the hospital and Juntendo University Hospital who operated on him.
The Royal Correspondent 