Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko Current Events Part 4: May 2017 - April 2019

[Prisma]

On October 24th, Empress Michiko welcomed Bhutanese Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, sister of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The princess is in Japan at the invitation of Kyoto University for an event marking the 60th anniversary of relations between Bhutan and the university.

Getty Image

 

[iceflower]

.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko watched a Kabuki performance at the National Theatre in Tokyo on October 25:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Kagoshima Prefecture's islands November 16-18. It will be their first visit to Yoron and Okinoerabu islands; the couple has so far visited 51 islands nationwide. According to the IHA, Emperor Akihito requested this visit as it's been more than 20 years since his enthronement and wanting to visit distant islands as much as possible.

• 16th: enter Yakushima, meet residents evacuated during the May 2015 eruption in Kuchieragaribujima.
• 17th: traditional dance at the southernmost island, Yoron Island
• 18th: visit Okinoerabu Island

The Imperial couple will visit Fukuoka and Oita Prefectures October 27-30 and will visit victims of the rains in northern Kyushu.

Source: Asahi

Photochemist, biologist, 3 others picked for Order of Culture - The Japan News

The government picked on Tuesday five recipients of the Order of Culture for fiscal 2017, including photoelectrochemist Akira Fujishima, 75, and molecular biologist Kenichi Matsubara, 83.

Fujishima, president of Tokyo University of Science, discovered titanium dioxide photocatalysis 50 years ago, a chemical reaction that degrades organic pollutants in water and is now widely used for coating external wall materials and air purification systems.

Matsubara, professor emeritus at Osaka University, made significant contributions to the development of the hepatitis B vaccine and human genome sequencing.

The other three are oil painter Hiroshi Okutani, 83, gagaku (Japanese court music) performer and composer Sukeyasu Shiba, 82, and Chinese history expert Yoshinobu Shiba, 87.

The government also tapped 15 people as Persons of Cultural Merits. Among them are fashion designer Junko Koshino, 78, kabuki actor Nakamura Kichiemon, 73, ballet dancer Miyako Yoshida, 51, and weightlifter Yoshinobu Miyake, 77.

The Order of Culture, Japan’s highest cultural award, will be presented by Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 3, and the cultural merit award ceremony will be held at a Tokyo hotel on Nov. 6.

[…]

 

[iceflower]

.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko started a visit to Northern Kyushu today, October 27. Their visit includes a meeting with victims of the landslide triggered by torrential rain in July and a meeting about the protection of the sea.


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Emperor, Empress tour areas hit by heavy rain | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

 

[Prisma]

On October 28th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Yaskawa Electric in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture where they learned of robot technology and the latest in prosthetics for disabled people.
Photos: Asahi

On October 29th, the Imperial couple attended the 37th national rich sea conference in Munakata. In the afternoon, they visited Munakata Taisha, viewing national treasures excavated from Okinoshima.
Photos: Jiji, Asahi 2

 

[iceflower]

.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Eco-Town Center in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, today, October 30:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his partner Cielito Avancena at the Imperial Palace on October 31st. President Duterte seemed nervous at beginning of the 25 minute meeting. Topics included the many Filipinos sacrificed in WWII, Japanese immigrants, bilateral relations, and the Emperor expressed appreciation for the Philippines' support after the 2011 earthquake.

A meeting was canceled last year due to Prince Mikasa's death. The Japanese government was nervous about President Duterte's behavior but the IHA stated his respect for the Imperial couple was apparent. [Sankei]

Getty Images

 

[iceflower]

.

Re-elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received the appointment letter from Emperor Akihito during the attestation ceremony in Tokyo yesterday, November 1:


** Pic **

 

[Prisma]

Ex-U.S. diplomats among 149 foreign nationals set to receive high government honor | The Japan Times

The government said Friday it will bestow decorations on a record 149 foreign nationals this fall — including former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — as well as 4,103 Japanese for their achievements across a wide variety of fields.

[...]

Both former U.S. officials will be decorated with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, the highest order in this fall’s commendations.

Former popular masked wrestler Richard Beyer, 87, known in the ring as “the Destroyer,” will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.

In all, foreign nationals from 63 countries and regions will be recognized.

Among Japanese recipients, Wataru Aso, 78, a former Fukuoka governor who also served as president of the National Governors’ Association, was named as a recipient of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with four other recipients.

Of the Japanese recipients, 381 (9.3 percent) were women, and 1,903 (46.4 percent) were from the private sector, the highest number since the decoration system was reformed in 2003.

Comedian and actor Kon Omura, 86 — whose real name is Mutsuji Okamura — and composer Shigeaki Saegusa, 75, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.

Photographer Eiko Hosoe, 84 — whose real name is Toshihiro Hosoe — will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.

The award ceremony will be held at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 7 with Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in attendance.

Emperor Akihito handed out the Order of Culture on November 3rd.

• Photoelectrochemist Akira Fujishima
• Molecular biologist Kenichi Matsubara
• Oil painter Hiroshi Okutani
• Gagaku (Japanese court music) performer and composer Sukeyasu Shiba
• Chinese history expert Yoshinobu Shiba

Photos: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

On November 4th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the photo exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of their visit to Brazil at the Brazilian Embassy in Tokyo.

Photos: Sankei, Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania at the Imperial Palace on November 6th.

Getty Images, Asahi

Trump meets Japan's imperial couple at palace - The Mainichi

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania met Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Monday, the second day of his first visit to Japan as American leader.

Following his planned 30-minute meeting with the imperial couple at the Imperial Palace, Trump is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the afternoon.

[…]

 

[iceflower]

Here's a dailymail article about their meeting:


** dailymail: 'Not his style – never has been': Trump shakes Japanese emperor's hand but doesn't repeat groveler-in-chief Obama's deep bow **

 

[iceflower]

.

Emperor Akihito presided over the autumn honours award ceremony at the Imperial Palace today, November 7:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[iceflower]

.

Emperor Akihito opened the 195th Parliament Session at the Upper House of Parliament in Tokyo today, November 8:


** belga gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

On November 9th, Empress Michiko attended a performance of "White Haired Girl" by the Matsuyama Ballet Company at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The ballet commemorates the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. "White Haired Girl" is a Chinese Revolutionary opera, later adapted to ballet, where a poor farmer's daughter is oppressed by a feudal landowner, changing her black hair to white, and she eventually defeats the landowner. Starring Yoko Morishita, the ballet was also performed in Beijing in May.

Photo: Sankei

ETA: more photos at Asahi, Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

On November 13th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended a concert by blind pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii at Suntory Hall in Minato, Tokyo. The concert commemorates the 10th anniversary of his debut. Tsujii competed in the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and tied for the gold medal.

Photos: Asahi, Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

On November 16th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko departed for their 3-day trip to Kagoshima Prefecture’s islands: Yoron, Okinoerabu, and Amami Ōshima. They met with people temporarily evacuated from Kuchinoerabu Island following a volcanic eruption in 2015.

Photos: Getty Images

Imperial Couple visits Yakushima on island tour | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

Asahi photos of the Imperial couple’s previous trips to Kagoshima’s islands - Amami Oshima for the first time in 1968; Tokunoshima in 1972; and the 50th anniversary ceremony of Amami Oshima’s return from American control in 2003.

 

[iceflower]

Here are some pics of day 2 today, November 17:


** gettyimages: Emperor And Empress Visit Amami Islands - Day 2 **

 

[Prisma]

After arrival by propeller plane, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko went to the coast to see Yoron Island's white sandbar at low tide. Later, the Imperial couple watched three traditional dances which hope for peace and good harvest at the Yoron Town Community Welfare Center. The dancing is said to have started in 1561.

Yoron Island used to be a popular tourist destination with 150,000 visitors in its heyday. However, tourism decreased as accommodation and tourism facilities improved in Okinawa after its return in 1972. Yoron Island saw about 70,000 visitors in 2016.

Sources: Asahi 1, Asahi 2, Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On November 18th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited a lily farm and elementary school in in Okinoerabujima. Students demonstrated making brown sugar using traditional equipment. The Imperial couple also visited the banyan trees planted in Meiji 32 (1899). 80 students sang a folk song before the couple returned to Tokyo. The 3-day trip covered 3,273 kilometers.

Photos: Sankei, Getty Images

English articles:

Emperor, Empress visit lily farm and school to cap three-day tour of remote isles | The Japan Times

Emperor and empress express empathy for volcano victims: The Asahi Shimbun

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko met five residents of Kuchinoerabujima island here on Nov. 16 representing all those who lived through a powerful volcano eruption almost 30 months ago.

All 137 residents of the island were confirmed safe, but were ordered to evacuate from their homes after the natural disaster occurred on the morning of May 29, 2015. The evacuation order for the entire island was lifted in October 2016.

Yoshito Hatake, 60, who had urged inhabitants to flee after the eruption, told the imperial couple, “Some of the islanders became unemployed during the evacuation. We will never forget that people across the country supported us.”

[...]

Nina Terada, 36, fled to Yakushima island accompanied by her two daughters, who were 2 and 4 at the time.

Michiko asked Terada, “How did (the disaster) affect your children?”

Terada said, “My eldest daughter wanted to go back to the island (during the evacuation), and now she is happy to be back.”

Michiko responded, “It is good. (Your family) have now all settled down.”

She mentioned that the islanders had managed to flee the island on the day of the eruption, saying she admired them for escaping “within such a short time.”

[...]

About 50 other islanders traveled from Kuchinoerabujima island via boat to gather in front of the meeting venue and welcomed the imperial couple.

On the day of the eruption, the couple sent a message to Kagoshima’s prefectural governor saying, “We hope that all of the islanders will continue to be safe.”

Emperor and Empress visit Yoron Island to observe 'illusory sandbar' | The Japan Times

[...]

About 50 Kuchinoerabu islanders, about half the island’s population, welcomed the Imperial Couple at a town facility, displaying a banner reading, “We are hanging tough despite the eruption.”

“I am grateful that you are safe,” the Emperor told them.

The couple later met with five representatives of the volcano-hit island for half an hour.

“I am so happy they did not forget us,” a resident said. Their visit “empowers me.”

[...]

 

[Prisma]

On November 19th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited a special exhibit of waka poems at the Japan Calligraphy Museum in Itabashi, Tokyo. The Imperial couple contributed to the 160 works on display.

Photo: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

On November 20th, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Local Autonomy Law at the Tokyo International Forum in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The ceremony is held every ten years and was attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other officials. Municipalities that contributed to improving local autonomy with excellent measures were honored. Kumamoto city and Nagano Prefecture's Kawakami village were awarded.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei, Getty Images

Later on the 20th, Empress Michiko attended the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Japanese Nursing Association in Minato, Tokyo. The association is a public benefit corporation with 730,000 qualified nurses.

121 people who contributed to the improvement of health care were given awards by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare; a letter of appreciation was presented to three former presidents of the association. [Sankei]

Photos: Asahi, Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

On November 22nd, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Inokashira Park in Tokyo to mark its 100th anniversary. The land was given to Tokyo in 1913 and established as a park in 1917.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei, Getty Images

ETA: Imperial couple chat to visitors at 100-year-old Inokashira Park: The Asahi Shimbun

The couple talked with visitors as they took in the scenery and crossed Bentenbashi bridge that stretches over Bentenike pond.

Michiko praised the park, telling visitors how good it was.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

On November 24th, Empress Michiko visited the "150th Anniversary of Bethel Institute" photo exhibition at the German Ambassador's residence in Minato, Tokyo. Bethel Institute in Bielefeld, Germany originally opened to treat epileptics in 1867. Currently, it is an advanced and comprehensive hospital for the disabled. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Bethel Institute during their 1993 visit to Germany.

Photos: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

On November 30th, Empress Michiko attended the Chieftains concert at Bunkamura Orchard Hall on November 30, 2017 in Tokyo.

Getty Images

On December 1st, Empress Michiko attended a concert of the 'Shichikukai' using traditional Japanese music instruments at the Imperial Palace’s music hall.

Getty Images

Balcony appearances for the Emperor Akihito’s birthday on December 23rd: 10:20, 11, 11:40am

Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday - The Imperial Household Agency

 

[iceflower]

.

On December 4 Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the award ceremony of the 33rd International Prize for Biology at the Japan Academy Hall in Tokyo:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Thanks. Dr. Rita Rossi Colwell, distinguished university professor at the University of Maryland College Park, was this year's winner.

This year, the field chosen for the prize was “Marine Biology.” Dr. Colwell introduced new approaches for identifying and classifying marine bacteria, and established the taxonomy of vibrios, which include Vibrio cholerae. Based on ecological studies of marine bacteria, she proposed that as a key survival strategy, vibrio cells can enter a state in which they remain viable but cannot be cultured. [...] She has won high acclaim also for her efforts toward cholera prevention in developing countries.

International Prize for biology | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

 

[iceflower]

Thanks a lot for the extra information about the prize winner! That's interesting to know!


Today, December 6, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko welcomed the President of Madagascar Hery Rajaonarimampianina and his wife at the Imperial Palace:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

You're welcome!

Conversation with the Presidential couple of Madagascar included: protecting the natural environment and Prince Akishino's and Princess Mako's private visit in 2007 to study livestock and extinct birds. [Asahi]