Category Archives: Imperial Family of Japan

H.R.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Visits Germany

June 22, 2011 Alexandra

H.R.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan is currently in Germany for a three-day official visit to mark “… the 150th anniversary of the Japan-Germany amity treaty.”

The crown prince was greeted by the German President, Christian Wulff, when he arrived at Bellevue Palace in Berlin. The crown prince also had a chance to visit the Berlin State Library where he viewed many valuable documents including the “…Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation between Japan and Prussia from 1861…”

In the evening, Crown Prince Naruhito dined with local dignitaries as well as with the German president and his wife at Bellevue Palace.

To watch a news report, in German, please click the link here. To view photos please click the link here.

*Side note: There seems to be somewhat of a confusion regarding how long H.R.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan will visit Germany. Some sources note that it is a two-day visit while other claim that it will be three to four days. Though you should know. 🙂

Source and photo courtesy of: DL by Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Imperial Family of Japan

T.I.H. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan Will Not Attend the British Royal Wedding

March 19, 2011 Alexandra

On March 18, 2011, the Japanese Imperial Household announced that T.I.H. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan will not attend the upcoming British royal wedding on April 29, 2011 in London, England.

I believe it is quite obvious as to why the Crown Princely couple will not attend. With the horrific devastation that struck Japan and its people last Friday plus the aftermath, to attend a royal wedding, in my opinion, is not that important at all.

To read more please click the link below.

Source: Telegraph Newspaper Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images AsiaPac

Imperial Family of Japan

H.I.M. Emperor Akihito Speaks to the People on Japanese Television

March 16, 2011 Alexandra

On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, H.I.M. Emperor Akihito of Japan made a rare appearance on Japanese national television to share his thoughts and concerns about the aftermath of last week’s 9.0 earthquake and destructive tsunami that followed.

According to the BBC News:

TV stations interrupted programming on Wednesday to show the emperor describing the crisis facing the nation as “unprecedented in scale”.

The 77-year-old – deeply respected by many Japanese – said: “I hope from the bottom of my heart that the people will, hand in hand, treat each other with compassion and overcome these difficult times.”

To watch Emperor Akihito’s speech via the BBC please click the link: BBC News

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images AsiaPac

Imperial Family of Japan

HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan: Diagnosed with Arteriosclerosis

February 12, 2011 Alexandra 3 Comments

It was announced today February 11, 2011, via the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, that HIM Emperor Akihito of Japan has been diagnosed with Arteriosclerosis. Currently, the 77 year old Emperor will be “… under medication…” and will continue to carry out his duties as well as activities as usual.

According to the Mainichi Daily News:

The stiffening of the arteries was discovered during a medical check using contrast agent on his artery leading to the heart at the University of Tokyo Hospital, the agency said.

The Emperor will stay the night at the hospital and return to the Imperial Palace on Saturday, according to the agency.

‘The Emperor can continue his official duties and exercise such as tennis and walking’, said Ichiro Kanazawa, imperial household medical supervisor. ‘I asked the emperor to let his personal doctor know immediately if he feels any kinds of symptoms such as pain in the chest,’ Kanazawa said.

It’s good to hear that he will continue his duties as Emperor of Japan, but at the same time I hope he takes it easy for a while.

If any new information shall come through the news wire I will definitely post it for all of you.

Source: Mainichi Daily News

Imperial Family of Japan

The Japanese Imperial Household Has Intentions for Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to Attend the British Royal Wedding Together

February 1, 2011 Alexandra 4 Comments

It was announced this morning, PST, that the Japanese Imperial Household is making every effort to have the Japanese Crown Princely couple attend the British royal wedding together this April 29, 2011.

If things should work out this will be their first official visit together since 2002.

Per CNNgo.com:

The British royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton continues to grab headlines worldwide as the Imperial Household Agency in Japan announces the intention of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to attend.

The royal household in Britain extended an invitation to the wedding on April 29 at Westminster Abbey to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Queen’s request last week, according to Kyodo News.

The Imperial Household Agency has therefore announced that the Crown Prince and Princess intend to attend, health permitting.

Crown Princess Masako, 47, has been undergoing much publicized treatment for a stress-induced illness, which has meant she and her husband haven’t made an official overseas visit since 2002, when they visited Australia and New Zealand.

Heir apparent Crown Prince Naruhito, the eldest son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, has attended weddings alone since 2004, in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and Brunei.

Cross your fingers for Crown Princess Masako.

To read the rest of the article regarding today’s announcement please click the link: CNNgo.com

Photo courtesy of: Zimbio.com by Junko Kimura/Getty Images AsiaPac

Imperial Family of Japan

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan Attends the 150th Anniversary of the Japan-Germany Amity Treaty

January 24, 2011 Alexandra

This afternoon, January 24, 2011, Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito attended the 150th anniversary of the Amity Treaty between Germany and Japan, “The treaty was signed to establish diplomatic and commercial relations between the two countries.”

During the celebrations Crown Prince Naruhito gave a speech as well as hosted a reception at the National Art Center in Tokyo. Attendees included German Culture Minster Bernd Neumann and the German Ambassador to Japan, Volker Stanzel. Unfortunately, Crown Princess Masako was, once again, absent. Then again, royal watchers never see her unless it’s a balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Such a shame.

To view more images from this event please click the link: Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan

Source and photos courtesy of: Day Life by YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images

Imperial Family of Japan

Happy Belated Birthday Crown Princess Masako of Japan

December 11, 2010 Alexandra 2 Comments

Crown Princess Masako of Japan turned 47 years old this past December 9, 2010. The little seen Crown Princess of Japan spent the day with her family at the Imperial Palace in Japan.

The life of Japan’s Crown Princess is a sad one. Ever since she married the awesome Crown Prince Naurhito the once vibrant and outspoken Masako has become a shadow of her former self. Apparently, she suffers from depression as well as anxiety attacks.