Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko: Current Events

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Video news photos reporting about the Emperor's birthday
#1: TBS news Video- http://www.bcast.co.jp/cgi-bin/yahoo...1&media=wm300k
#2: ANN news Video- http://www.bcast.co.jp/cgi-bin/yahoo...1&media=wm300k
#3: NNN news Video- http://www.bcast.co.jp/cgi-bin/yahoo...0&media=wm300k

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Video distributed by Imperial Household Agency
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/meta-8/h171223-300.wvx

Congradulations from Foreign Countries

PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN CONGRATULATES JAPANESE PREMIER ON EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY
http://www.azertag.com/en/index.shtm...eid=&news_page=

PRESIDENT ILHAM ALIYEV CONGRATULATED EMPEROR OF JAPAN ON HIS BIRTHDAY
http://www.azertag.com/en/index.shtm...eid=&news_page=

His Majesty Sends Congratulatory Message To Emperor Of Japan
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send congratulatory messages to His Imperial Majesty Akihito, the Emperor of Japan and Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan on the occasion of the Emperor's birthday.............
http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/N...205/nite15.htm

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Japan's Emperor: Man and Institution
With a long and turbulent history, only since 1948 has the Emperor made public appearances
Japanese Emperor Akihito celebrated his 72nd birthday Dec. 23. The emperor's birthday is a national holiday in Japan. On this day, the emperor greets assembled visitors in an area of the Hirohito (posthumously named Showa) on his birthday. In 1950, Emperor Hirohito began making public appearances every birthday.

Emperor Akihito, son of the controversial Hirohito, has "ruled" since 1989. Unlike previous emperors, he was sent to school with commoners. He shocked Japan and his mother by marrying a woman who was not an aristocrat, and later in defiance of tradition, chose to raise his children at home rather than send them to be cared for by others.

"Japanese people must strive to properly understand their country's history when they deal with the rest of the world," Akihito said in his public address to the gathered assembly. With relationships between Korea and China deteriorating, these words touch on a sore spot of controversy, a controversy in which the institution of "Emperor" was used to spearhead military conquest in the early 20th century.

History, or rather the presentation of history, is a key issue in the relationship between Japan and the rest of Asia. Many feel that Japan has not seriously owned up to its past misdeeds while at the same time adding salt to the wound by putting forth history textbooks that gloss over some of these past horrendous actions. It doesn't help matters either with politicians such as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi making official visits to Yasakuni Shrine, the Shinto shrine which contains the spirits of Japanese war dead including noted war criminals.............
http://english.ohmynews.com/articlev...at_code=300823

Photos from Ohmynews International

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Putin addresses New Year greetings to foreign leaders
.............The head of the Russian state has addressed the warmest New Year greetings to Emperor Akihito of Japan. Congratulating Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the New Year, Putin highly assesses the level of trust and mutual understanding between the two countries and hopes for further joint efforts for the sake of developing creative partnership...............
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2....4710&PageNum=0

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Japan's imperial couple makes history
http://www.saipantribune.com/newssto...1&newsID=53591

Year-end Presentation of five Waka Poems by His Majesty the Emperor 2005, Seventeenth year of Heisei
Year-end Presentation of Three Waka Poems by Her Majesty the Empress 2005,Seventeenth Year of Heisei
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/gyosei/5syu3syuh17-01.html

The Imperial Household Agency on Sunday released eight poems written in the "waka" genre by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 2005.
Five were written by the emperor and three by his wife on such occasions as the couple's visit to Saipan in June last year which was their first overseas trip for the sole purpose of paying respects to the war dead.
They also wrote about their only daughter Sayako, popularly known as Princess Nori before she got married to a Tokyo metropolitan government employee in November and left the imperial household. The agency traditionally releases poetry by the imperial couple on New Year's Day. Waka was developed by Japanese court aristocrats in the sixth century and they typically consist of 31 syllables in a five-line pattern of 5-7-5-7-7............
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060101/kyodo/d8erhu600.html

His Majesty the Emperor’s New Year Thoughts, 2006
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/gokansou/gokansou-18-01.html

Emperor stresses sacrifices of war dead on New Year's Day
Emperor Akihito reflected on the people who died in World War II and stressed the importance of their sacrifice in his New Year's message released Sunday by the Imperial Household Agency..........
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstS...storyid=222187

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Liberal emperor?: Akihito continues his quest to overcome the legacies of his father.

This is the third part of a series on issues and topics facing the imperial family.
Seiichi Oike stood on a beach in front of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, got down on his knees, and then sprawled out on the sand face down.
Oike, 87, one of the few survivors of the Saipan battles during World War II, was "acting out" the ferocious battles he experienced on the island, where many poorly armed Japanese soldiers were totally overpowered by U.S. troops.
The emperor stared in awe. The empress leaned over for a closer look. It was the first time they had publicly seen such a demonstration overseas.
"The emperor's face became very tense when I showed how we tried to cope with the barrage of bullets by lying face down," said Oike, who accompanied the imperial couple.
The trip to Saipan in June, said to have been materialized on the emperor's initiative, paid tribute to the tens of thousands who died on the Pacific island during World War II.
It followed Akihito's years of gestures to heal the victims of World War II and to seek peace around the world. But some of his actions and words have been surprising--and have come under criticism from right-wingers and traditionalists.
For example, on Saipan, the emperor and empress made a detour that was not on the itinerary released to the press.
The imperial couple bowed deeply at a memorial to Koreans who died in the Pacific theater.
The Japanese government had not referred to this surprise stopover in its prior press briefing because it did not want to draw the wrath of those opposed to any apologetic gesture made by the emperor, sources said. But it seems that any potential backlash would not have changed the emperor's desire to pray for the repose of all victims of the war....................
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-...601040136.html

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There is going to be a book released by the end of January featuring Empress Michiko's Waka poems.

#1: From Baito Publishing Co., Inc. website

Empress Michiko's poems to be published in French: report
A collection of 53 poems written by Empress Michiko will be published in French along with the original Japanese works possibly in late January, the Sankei Shimbun newspaper reported Wednesday.............
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060104/kyodo/d8etohvg0.html

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Photos from Kunaicho website of the Emperor and Empress performing specific duties and receiving guests.

#1: Dec. 7, 2005
#2-3: Dec 12, 2005.
#2: Hosting Princess Désirée of Sweden and her husband for dinner.

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Emperor Akihito reads his message in the House of Councillors as Japan's parliament convened on Jan. 20 for a 150-day regular session.
Reuters
Japan's Emperor Akihito declares the opening of a new ordinary session of Japan's parliament in Tokyo January 20, 2006.

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#1: Newscom: Emperor Akihito (C, front) and Empress Michiko (L, front) are welcomed by top sumo wrestlers Jan. 20 on arriving at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to watch bouts in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
#2:JIJI Press: Emperor Akihito (L, front) and Empress Michiko (R) greet spectators as they visit Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan Jan. 20 to watch bouts in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

Sumo: Tochiazuma grabs lead, Asa falls again at New Year sumohttp://asia.news.yahoo.com/060120/kyodo/d8f8aoh80.html

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Yomiuri news reports that Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will be making a visit to Singapore and Thailand in June. Both of them have been invited to attend the 60th anniversary celebrations of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne in Thailand during June this year. This will be their 2nd visit to Thailand since 1991 and their first to Singapore since their enthronement as Emperor and Empress. Their visit to these 2 countries will begin on June 8th and will last about a week.

Emperor and empress may visit Thailand, Singapore in June
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko may visit Thailand and Singapore in June, government sources said Saturday.
Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has invited the couple to attend events marking the 60th anniversary of his coronation, they said.
The Cabinet is expected to give the go-ahead for the visit, which spans about one week in early June. It would be their first visit to Singapore, which was occupied by Japan during World War II, and the second to Thailand since the emperor ascended to the throne in 1989...........
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060121/kyodo/d8f8ohg80.html

Akihito to make first ever visit to Singapore

TOKYO: Japan's emperor and empress may make their first ever visit to Singapore and travel to Thailand in June, a news report said yesterday.
Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have been invited by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej to attend celebrations for the 60th anniversary of his coronation, Kyodo News agency reported, citing unnamed government sources.
The couple will also stop in Singapore – their first visit to the island republic – the report said.
The Cabinet is expected to approve the trip, which will take place for about a week in early June. An official at the Imperial Household Agency said he could not confirm the report..........................
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...4087&sec=world

Emperor, empress to visit Southeast Asia

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will make official visits to Singapore and Thailand in June and also spend a day in Malaysia, government officials said Friday.
In Singapore, the couple will take part in a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the island state and Japan.
In Bangkok, they will attend celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol's accession to the throne. The weeklong trip was officially decided at a Cabinet meeting Friday.................
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-...601280161.html

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Timetable of the Emperor and Empress' week long visit

June 8: Leave Tokyo's Haneda Airport for Singapore

June 9: Attend a banquet to be hosted by Singaporean President S.R. Nathan

June 10: Move on with their visit to Malaysia
They will visit the northern Malaysia state of Perak

June 11: Fly to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur

June 12-13:
They will participate in events marking the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's reign

June 14: Return to Japan

Emperor, empress to visit Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand in June
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060126/kyodo/d8fcm0l8h.html

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Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Visit Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand

January 27, 2006
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Singapore has, taking account of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the year 2006, extended an invitation to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to visit his country. Through a letter of His Excellency the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, the Government of Thailand has asked the presence of Their Majesties at the 60th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty the King of Thailand.
In view of the friendly relations existing between Japan and these two countries, the Government of Japan has advised Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to pay state visits, and Their Majesties have accepted the invitations.
In addition to these two countries, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will also officially visit Malaysia. The Emperor and Empress last undertook a state visit to Malaysia in 1991.
The itinerary of the visits will be finalized after consultations with the Governments of those countries. Their Majesties are scheduled to leave Tokyo on June 8, 2006, and the duration of the visit will be about a week.


Statement by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi On Their Majesties' Visit to Asian Countries

January 27, 2006
I am pleased to announce that Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress will pay a state visit to the Republic of Singapore and to the Kingdom of Thailand. In addition to these countries, Their Majesties will also officially visit Malaysia.
Japan has enjoyed longtime intimate friendly relations with these countries. The Republic of Singapore has requested Their Majesties' State Visit for some time. This year is a memorable year for Japan and Singapore, celebrating the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The Kingdom of Thailand, based upon the long-established close relationship between the Imperial Family and the Thai Royal Family, has requested the presence of Their Majesties at this year's Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty the King Bhumibol.
Their Majesties have also been invited to Malaysia by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin who visited Japan last year as a State Guest.
I am confident that the visit will further strengthen Japan's cordial relations with these counties and I join the nation in sharing the delight.
I would like to express my sincere hope for Their Majesties' pleasant journey and safe return home.

Release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

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Imperial couple visit daughter Sayako, her husband at Tokyo condo
(Kyodo) _ Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited their daughter Sayako and her husband Yoshiki Kuroda at their downtown Tokyo condominium Saturday evening.

It was the royal couple's first visit to their daughter's home since Sayako, formerly a princess, became a commoner through her marriage to Kuroda in November and moved with him into the condo they rent. The two couples had a relaxed time over dinner in the condo, Imperial Household Agency sources said......................
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060121/kyodo/d8f94emo5.html

Royal couple makes first visit to daughter's home
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The Emperor and Empress on Saturday visited the Tokyo residence of their recently married daughter and her husband for the first time.
Princess Nori, the royal couple's only daughter, took the name Sayako Kuroda when she married Yoshiki Kuroda in November. The newlyweds live in a one-bedroom rental apartment two kilometers from the Imperial Palace. They will move to a new apartment in Tokyo in spring.
The Emperor and Empress arrived at the couple's residence at about 6:30 p.m. and ate dinner.
(Jan. 22, 2006)

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Emperor, empress to visit Miyake Island in March
(Kyodo) _ Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Miyake Island, off Tokyo, in early March to encourage islanders in efforts to rebuild their communities, which have been affected by a series of major volcanic eruptions since 2000...........
They are expected to make a one-day trip to the Pacific island, about 200 kilometers south of Tokyo, by air and see the post-disaster lives of around 2,900 islanders, the sources said............
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060125/kyodo/d8fbjdug1.html


Imperial Couple to visit Miyake in March
.........The couple will carry gas masks and will meet with residents indoors as the volcano continues to emit gas.
It will be the first time the couple will have set foot on the island since the volcano erupted. They flew over the island in a helicopter in July 2001 to view the damage............
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20060126b6.htm

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Japan emperor 'must visit shrine'
Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso has called for Emperor Akihito to visit a controversial war shrine - a move that could enrage China and South Korea............He believes Emperor Akihito should visit the Tokyo shrine because those who died in wars did so in honour of their emperor.............
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4658262.stm

Japan's Aso says emperor should visit Yasukuni
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Saturday it would be appropriate for the emperor to visit the Yasukuni shrine, which is seen by critics as a symbol of past Japanese militarism, Kyodo news agency reported............
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060128/3/2ev93.html

Japan's Aso says emperor should visit Yasukuni
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?ac...lnews&id=96703

Emperor Akihito Is Unlikely to Visit Yasukuni Shrine
Jan. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Emperor Akihito is unlikely to visit a shrine in Tokyo that includes war criminals among the dead that it commemorates, top government spokesman Shinzo Abe said, after Foreign Minister Taro Aso recommended that the emperor do so.
``Any imperial visit would take into account his position as a private individual as well as the societal situation and other considerations,'' Abe said at a regular press conference in Tokyo. ``The Imperial Household Agency has dealt with this carefully and will continue to do so.''..............
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...d=aQ1THfap_e3E

Japan plays down FM's call for emperor to visit war shrine
The Japanese government signalled that Emperor Akihito was unlikely to visit a war shrine, playing down a call by the foreign minister that risks inflaming tensions with other Asian countries.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said the Imperial Household Agency continued to "carefully" consider whether the emperor should visit the Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japanese war dead including top war criminals.................
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=105723

Japan's opposition leader raps FM for shrine visit suggestion
Japan's Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader criticized Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Sunday for his suggestion that the country's emperor should visit the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper reported Monday..............
http://english.people.com.cn/200601/...30_239388.html

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Empress Michiko watched the Opera of "W.A.Mozart : Die Zauberflöte" at the New National Theatre in Tokyo on Jan. 24, 2006.

#1: from New National Theatre, Tokyo homepage

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Originally Posted by mandyy

Empress Michiko watched the Opera of "W.A.Mozart : Die Zauberflöte" at the New National Theatre in Tokyo on Jan. 24, 2006.

More photos from Yomiuri news

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Emperor visit to Yasukuni Shrine 'unacceptable': S. Korea
(Kyodo) _ A South Korean government official expressed dismay Monday at Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso's call for Emperor Akihito to visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Yonhap News Agency reported.
"It would be unacceptable for the head and the symbol of Japan to make visits to the Yasukuni Shrine which honors A-class war criminals," the official was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity..................
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060130/kyodo/d8fev24g0.html

2nd LD: S. Korea voices 'deep regret' over Aso's Yasukuni remarks

South Korea's foreign ministry on Monday expressed "deep regret" over Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso's call for Japanese Emperor Akihito to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and urged him to "immediately withdraw" that remark. "We urge the Japanese foreign minister to immediately withdraw the remark that shuns neighboring nations," the ministry said in a statement reported by Yonhap News Agency...............
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060130/kyodo/d8ff1c8g1.html

Seoul raps Japan foreign minister on shrine remark
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea criticised Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Monday for suggesting that Emperor Akihito should visit Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine, which critics see as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

"(Aso's comments) are an attempt to justify and embellish Japan's history of war of aggression and is very regrettable," the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "This government urges the person in charge of Japan's diplomacy to immediately withdraw comments that disregards relationships with neighbouring countries," it said.......................
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060130/3/2eych.html

Yasukuni comment was Aso's private view: Abe
Foreign Minister Taro Aso was expressing his personal opinion when he said Emperor Akihito should visit Yasukuni Shrine, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said Monday in a bid to ease the diplomatic fallout.

The Imperial Household Agency has said the late Emperor Hirohito and Emperor Akihito have not visited Yasukuni Shrine since 1975, "considering various social situations" and other factors of the times, Abe said. Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Showa, visited Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 2.47 million war dead, eight times after World War II, making the last trip in fall 1975..................
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/...20060131a6.htm

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Japan's Aso backs off call for emperor shrine visit
TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso backed away today from a remark that it would be appropriate for the emperor to visit a Tokyo war shrine, saying he was not calling for a visit at this time, Kyodo news agency reported.
Aso's comment at the weekend that Emperor Akihito, son of wartime emperor Hirohito, should visit Yasukuni Shrine sparked criticism from South Korea, which along with China considers the shrine to be a symbol of Japan's militaristic past......................''I have not called for the emperor to pay his respects at Yasukuni Shrine under current circumstances,'' Aso was quoted by Kyodo as telling reporters..................
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?ac...lnews&id=97931

Japan FM backs down over shrine
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has backtracked on his controversial call for the emperor to visit a war shrine despised by China and South Korea. Mr Aso said the visit was impossible "under the current situation", but he hoped it would happen in the future..................
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4664534.stm