Japanese Monarchy Offiical Duties and Current Events

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November 8: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako remotely visited outpatient care facility "Fleus" for the elderly in Shizuoka Prefecture. They met people and learned about activities such as strength training, boccia, and picture letters.

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1457822739734142977?s=20

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The Emperor delivers his annual New Year's Speech virtually for 2022.

Emperor of Japan delivers video address instead of traditional balcony speech for New Year?s ? Royal Central

Emperor Naruhito of Japan has addressed the Japanese people through a video instead of the traditional balcony appearance at the Imperial Palace.

The video was recorded on 28 December and was released to prevent too many people from gathering as the global health crisis continues into the third year. His Imperial Majesty had to release a video for New Year?s Day 2021 as well due to the same reason.

The Emperor was joined by his wife, Empress Masako, who also gave brief remarks to the Japanese public.

Emperor Naruhito focused on the global health crisis and shared his thoughts for those who have been affected by the pandemic. He also thanked medical professionals and first responders who have sacrificed over the past three years.

The Emperor said he was thankful that infection rates in Japan had gone down due to high vaccination rates in the country and the efforts of the people. He went on to express his sadness that there are people outside of Japan who cannot receive the vaccine or good treatment for COVID-19.

His Imperial Majesty shared his hope that the world would overcome the pandemic soon and said: ?We are looking forward to the day when the spread of the new coronavirus infection has subsided, and we will be able to meet you again.?

Emperor Naruhito also mentioned the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2021 and how reconstruction was continuing well. He also spoke about the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying that they gave ?people courage and hope.?

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Short video of the Imperial Family at a scaled down New Year's reception. No tiaras are worn by the ladies. This is Princess Aiko's first public duty.

Entrance order: TIM the Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince and Crown Princesss, Princess Aiko etc...

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Princess Aiko steps up as the Japanese imperial family conducts a sober New Year's ceremony | Daily Mail Online

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Princess Aiko of Japan Makes Royal Debut After Mako Leaves Imperial Family | PEOPLE.com

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Princess Akiko of Mikasa will present the 2021 Japan-British Society (JBS) Award to Robin Maynard MBE at the JBS Annual Dinner on 24 January 2022 at the Hotel Okura Tokyo.

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1479120580968394754?s=20

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On December 27th, Emperor Naruhito received the credentials of Muhammad Abu Bakr, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Japan.

https://middleeast.in-24.com/News/534318.html

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January 7: Imperial family attended a ceremony marking the anniversary of Emperor Showa's death at the Palace Sanctuaries. Princess Kako worshipped at Emperor Showa's mausoleum in Hachioji, Tokyo.

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1479636757746384897?s=20

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January 17. Emperor Naruhito presided over the opening ceremony of the ordinary Diet session at the National Assembly building in Tokyo today:

https://www.rexfeatures.com/livefeed/2022/01/17/opening_ceremony_of_the_ordinary_parliament_session,_tokyo?

[PrincessOfPeace]

January 17: Emperor Naruhito's family and the Emeritus couple observed moments of silence for the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake which occurred at 5:46am 27 years ago.

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1483135806931832832?s=20

[PrincessOfPeace]

February 10: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako remotely visited "Kamenoko," a support facility for people with disabilities in Oda, Shimane Prefecture. They observed music therapy, talked to people, and watched an employment workshop video (making tofu).

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1492581774647382016?s=20&t=pE26UmrCqkMaNbWQ6mCZ3Q

[PrincessOfPeace]

February 28: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on the global history of infectious diseases by Professor Taro Yamamoto of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, at the Imperial residence.

https://twitter.com/ImperialJPNfan/status/1498515874478649347?s=20&t=QSQxYcs82kkucSttCZZiDQ

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Imperial Family of Japan holds minute of silence in memory of 2011 earthquake victims ? Royal Central

The Imperial Family of Japan has joined the nation in observing a minute of silence to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake.

Both the imperial couple Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, as well as their daughter Princess Aiko, and the Emeritus imperial couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, have joined the Japanese population in observing a minute of silence to commemorate the natural disaster and its victims.

At 2:46pm local time on 11 March 2011, Japan was struck by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake, that triggered a tsunami wave. The sequence of events became known as the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Japan has always been an earthquake-prone nation, as it sits on the so-called Ring of Fire, a circle of active underwater volcanoes, that cause frequent tremors. However, the magnitude is generally attested around the 7 on average on the Richter scale.

The island nation has always been one of the leaders around the world in constructions with earthquake proofing and innovative solutions in the field. However, nothing was ready for such a strong tremor.

The earthquake triggered a series of tsunami waves that, at 15 metres high on their lowest point, dwarfed the protective seawalls that only measured six metres.

The loss of power that followed the earthquake, coupled with the destruction of the backup generators caused by the tsunami wave, caused one of the greatest nuclear accidents in history at the Daichi power plant, on the coast of Northern Japan.

This disaster had a significant impact on the community where my family and I reside. At the time Toyota's North American Headquarters was still based in Torrance, CA. In addition  we have one of the United States' largest communities of Japanese nationals, expats  and Japanese Americans outside of Japan and Hawaii. My children's schools had many fundraisers to assist those who were impacted by this devastating natural disaster. Japan literally has the "gold standard" for earthquake preparedness, however this was such a strong and forecful tremor followed by a tsunami that it overwhelmed decades of infrastructure. I can only imagine that the devastation would have been worse without it.

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Princess Aiko held her first press conference on March 17, 2022.

Princess Aiko vows to fulfill duties as adult in first news conference ? Royal Central

Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, held her first news conference since coming of age last December.

Princess Aiko?s official ceremonies to mark her coming of age when she turned 20 were held in December last year, but the customary press conference, usually held before the birthday, was postponed to March to avoid disrupting her studies. Princess Aiko said that she ?felt tense? during those ceremonies, but they did make her realize that she ?needed to approach each event with a sense of responsibility.?

The news conference was held in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, and Princess Aiko offered her ?heartfelt gratitude? to all those who had supported her journey up until now. She also said she would ?value each and every one of my duties.?

She spoke lovingly about her parents. ?(My parents?) presence is irreplaceable, and they are always there closest to me, no matter what situation I?m in,? she said. In reference to a news conference shortly after her birth, in which then Crown Princess Masako thanked her daughter for being born, Princess Aiko said, ?I also want to thank (my mother) for giving birth to me.?

Princess Aiko added that her weaknesses were her shyness and being a little too laid back but added that one of her strengths was being able to sleep anywhere. She also said that she had not thought about marriage as it would still be some way off. Still, she said she believed that her ideal relationship would be one ?where both parties can make each other smile by being together.?

She said of the Ukraine crisis, ?I am very heartbroken that many precious lives have been lost.?

Princess Aiko is currently studying Japanese literature at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.

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Empress attends convention for Japanese Red Cross Society | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Empress Masako attended the Japanese Red Cross Society?s national convention in Tokyo on May 19 for the first time in three years.

This was the empress's first solo official duty outside of the Imperial Palace since the 47th Florence Nightingale Medal awards ceremony in August 2019.

The annual convention of the Japanese Red Cross Society had been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The empress, who serves as its honorary president, gave medals of merit to 10 individuals and representatives of three organizations for their continuous support and volunteer activities for the JRC.

She also listened to a report from the director of the Japanese Red Cross Musashino Hospital with Crown Princess Kiko and other participants. The hospital has accepted many patients infected with the novel coronavirus.

?I am certain you have gone through many difficulties,? Masako told the director of the hospital after the convention.

This is the second time the empress has attended the convention since taking over as the honorary president from Empress Emerita Michiko.

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Emperor Naruhito welcomes President Biden during his trip to Asia ? Royal Central

Emperor Naruhito of Japan welcomed US President Joe Biden at the Tokyo Imperial Palace during the latter?s two-day visit to Asia.

On Monday morning, His Imperial Majesty was waiting for the President when the Beast ? the nickname for the President?s car ? arrived at the Palace, and the two heads of state posed for a photo opportunity before they were ushered inside for a private meeting.

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On June 9th, Emperor Emeritus Akhito and Empress Emerita Michiko visited the "Ryukyu: 50th anniversary special exhibition of Okinawa's reversion to Japan" at Tokyo National Museum.

The Emeritus couple arrived before 5pm and stayed about 40 minutes. The museum requested their visit according to Jiji. This is the couple's first activity outside Imperial residences since visiting Meiji Jingu in October 2020.

https://mobile.twitter.com/mainichiphoto/status/1534910216130531330

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On August 8th, Emperor Naruhito met Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres at the Imperial residence in Tokyo.

https://mobile.twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1556500760438796289

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On August 10th, Empress Masako, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Nobuko, and Princess Hisako attended the 48th Florence Nightingale Medal ceremony at Tokyo Prince Hotel in Minato, Tokyo:

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Princess Aiko and Princess Kako attended the Gagaku Concert

On November 5, 2022, Princess Aiko and Princess Kako attended the Autumn Gagaku Concert at Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Gagaku, which translates as "elegant music" is Japanese classical music created to accompany the ceremonial worship rituals of the Imperial court. Gagaku is performed at several court functions at the Imperial Palace, at State Dinners and on the occasion of the Spring and Autumn Garden Parties.

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Emperor awards Grand Cordon Orders to 16 recipients - The Japan News

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Emperor Naruhito to greet public on birthday for first time | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

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TM the Emperor and Empress accompanied by Princess Aiko attended a charity film screening.

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Japan's Emperor and Empress to visit Indonesia on first overseas goodwill trip | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

NHK has learned that arrangements are being made for Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to make an official visit to Indonesia around late June.

It will be the couple's first goodwill trip abroad since the Emperor ascended to the throne in 2019.

Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 2023, which also marks the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.

Planning is reportedly underway for the Emperor and Empress to visit the capital Jakarta and other locations as state guests, and attend a welcome ceremony and a dinner hosted by Indonesia's president and first lady.

The Emperor and Empress visited Britain last September for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Japan remembers war dead 78 years after end of World War Two | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The fighting stopped long ago, but the millions killed continue to be remembered. Japan is marking 78 years since World War Two. It regards August 15, 1945, as the end of the conflict. That's the day the public learned that Japan had surrendered.

About 1,800 people attended the government's annual memorial ceremony in Tokyo. They included bereaved families of the war dead. There was a bigger crowd this year now that coronavirus measures have been eased. But some had to cancel due to the severe tropical storm ripping through the country's west.

The moment of silence at noon honored the war dead. About 2.3 million were soldiers and others involved in the Imperial Japanese military. About 800,000 civilians also died.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako took part in the ceremony. Emperor Naruhito said " Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated. Together with all our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, and pray for world peace and for the continuing developments of our country."