Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko Current Events Part 3: February 2013 - April 2017

[Prisma]

You're welcome!
Ah, it's good to know the Imperial family have some input in their activities.

 

[Prisma]

On June 13th, the Emperor and Empress attended the 72nd Japan Art Academy award ceremony in Ueno, Tokyo. Winners included: Japanese painter Sumio Goto (86), the novelist Noboru Tsujihara (70), and Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando (66).

Photos at Asahi and Sankei

ANN News video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COc-J4KA6aY

After the ceremony, Their Majesties held the tea party for the recipents at Imperial Palace. HIH Crown Prince Naruhito and HIH Prince Fumihito and HIH Princess Kiko of Akishino also attended the tea party.

See https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/06/13/japan-art-academy-award-2/

 

[Prisma]

On June 20th, the Emperor and Empress travelled to Goryo ranch in Tochigi Prefecture for a period of rest. The ranch was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Their Majesties last visited the ranch in 2008. The Imperial couple will stay until June 22nd and the visit includes inspecting the reconstruction and meeting with farmers.

Photos at Asahi, mainichi

 

[Prisma]

On June 21st, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited a ham processing plant in Nakagawa, Tochigi Prefecture. The facility was awarded the "Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Festival 2015 Emperor's Cup". Besides tasting samples of ham and sausage, the Imperial couple learned about the production process and equipment.

Photos and info at: Sankei, Asahi

 

[iceflower]

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko watched the national rugby team's match against Scotland in the last of the two-test series at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on June 25.

Unfortunately the special support didn't help, Scotland beat Japan 21-16


** Pic **

 

[Rudolph]

Japan v Scotland: Home players honoured by Emperor Akihito visit - BBC Sport

 

[eya]

The emperors attended the 106th Award ceremony of Japan Academy Prizes.

https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/japan-academy-prize/

"Hotel where Akihito learned of Japan's defeat to be preserved"

https://t.co/u5FGCfEYpe

 

[Prisma]

The emperors attended the 106th Award ceremony of Japan Academy Prizes.

https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/06/27/japan-academy-prize/

ANN News video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZK38Oy4l28

 

[Prisma]

June 28: The Imperial Palace police held an award ceremony in martial arts for excellent staff and long-service staff. 111 people were awarded: 94 for excellence and 17 for length of service (20-35 years). 21 staff members with 25 years of service met with the Empress.
Source: Asahi

June 29: The Emperor and Empress visited the Bhutan exhibit at Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo. The exhibit commemorates the 30th anniversary of Japan-Bhutan diplomatic relations.
3 photos at: Asahi

The Emperor and Empress gifted Kin'ippu to the Rio Olympics team. The amount is undisclosed. The Imperial couple gifted in past Olympics which led to a tea ceremony for all winners after the games.
Source: Asahi

 

[eya]

On June 6th, the Emperor and Empress visited C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland and was guided by the Welsh-Japanese writer, actor, and environmentalist. The woodland was established in 1986.

Photo gallery at Sankei

ANN News video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2aHFFcBKEQ

The Imperial Couple's day in our woods

https://t.co/qFqmqSvu2d

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Couple's day in our woods

https://t.co/qFqmqSvu2d

Thank you!
I know all events are choreographed but I can't imagine other royal houses being so choreographed/rehearsed. It's nice the Emperor was able to do something spontaneous. Maybe the IHA staff or security were concerned the horse might spook and endanger the elderly couple but the Emperor isn't a baby. I doubt he'd approach a horse if he didn't know what he was doing.

 

[Prisma]

On July 4th, the Emperor and Empress visited the Buddha exhibit at the Tokyo National Museum. The special exhibit commemorates the 50th anniversary of normalized relations between Japan and South Korea.

Photos at: Asahi

ETA: ANN News video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cLhwfXHKdo

 

[Prisma]

The Emperor and Empress sent deep condolences to the bereaved families and those injured at the Dhaka terrorist attack. The message was conveyed to Chamberlain Chikao Kawai on July 4th and delivered by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida to the families on July 5th. 7 of the 22 victims were Japanese.

Sources: Sankei, Asahi


ETA:

An aide to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko relayed a message from the couple to Kishida, expressing their sincere sorrow for the victims and deep sympathy for the survivor.

The Imperial Couple “felt heartbroken when hearing that those who worked energetically at the front line of international cooperation had died or were injured in the Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka,” the aide told the foreign minister, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

Victims of Dhaka massacre repatriated; Japan to step up action against terrorism | The Japan Times

 

[Prisma]

On July 6th, the Emperor and Empress attended a charity concert to support children fighting illnesses, such as cancer, and their families. The concert is in its 20th year and has donated over 300 million yen.

Photos and info at: Asahi and Mainichi

ANN News video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYf2A97zht8

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Thanks again for the updates, Prisma! You do a great job.

 

[Prisma]

You're very welcome!

On July 7th, Empress Michiko attended the 50th anniversary concert of violinist Tsugio Tokunaga at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Mr. Tokunaga was Japan Gakudan’s youngest concert master when he joined in 1966.

Photos at: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

On July 9th, the Emperor and Empress attended the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra’s 60th anniversary concert at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. The couple enjoyed Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 15 in A major” and the concert was conducted by Alexander Lazarev, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra’s former Chief Conductor.

Photos at: Asahi and Yomiuri

 

[iceflower]

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I've created an extra thread for the news reports and discussion about the possible abdication of Emperor Akihito, all posts have been moved to this thread.

 

[Prisma]

In the afternoon of July 14th, the Emperor and Empress left Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa Prefecture. About 100 people gathered to watch the departure and residents near the villa spoke to the media about the possible abdication reports.

Photos at Mainichi and Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

The Emperor and Empress will rest at Nasu Imperial Villa in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture from July 25 to 28. The couple rests at Nasu in July every year.

Source: Mainichi

 

[Prisma]

The Emperor and Empress will rest a few days longer in late August this year. The IHA is seeking a balance of rest and public service duties for the aging couple. Their retreat schedule has been:

• 2-4 times at the Hayama Imperial Villa, Kanazawa Prefecture in winter and spring
• Once in July at Nasu Imperial Villa, Tochigi Prefecture
• Additional annual trips to Nagano Prefecture Karuizawa and Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu-machi in late August since 2008

In previous years, the pace of service was unchanged even in August and the couple returned home 3 times last year for audiences and events.

Source: yomiuri.co.jp

 

[Prisma]

On July 18th, the Emperor and Empress had lunch with the President of Palau at the Imperial Palace.

Photos at: Sankei
https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/07/18/president-of-palau-2/

ANN News video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4qSkbCZM9E

 

[Prisma]

On July 20th, Empress Michiko visited the "International Library of Children’s Literature" exhibit at the National Diet Library in Ueno, Tokyo. The exhibit has translations of 300 pieces since the 1970s.

Photo: Asahi, Yomiuri

ANN News video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzxB_YGe2Kw

 

[Prisma]

On July 25th, the Emperor and Empress arrived at Nasushiobara Station in Tochigi Prefecture to rest at Nasu Imperial Villa until the 28th. They will also visit a farm on the 26th.

Photos at: Asahi, Mainichi, Getty Images

ETA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIRvDRPpals

 

[Prisma]

On July 26th, the Emperor and Empress visited a dairy farm in Nasu. Yuji Majima guided the Imperial couple through the cow house, facilities, and feed field. The farm has about 200 cattle and the facilities have less partitions, allowing the cows to move more.

Photo and info: Asahi, Mainichi

ANN news video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ht1l7mKcck

 

[Prisma]

On July 31st, the Empress attended a concert by Korean tenor Bae Jae Chul. The tenor lost his voice due to thyroid cancer in 2005. He returned to the stage in 2008 after vocal cord surgery and extensive rehabilitation. The Empress sat next to St. Luke’s International University’s Honorary Chairman HinoGen Shigeaki.

Photos: Asahi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZcadsYidTo

 

[iceflower]

Impressive to hear what the tenor had to go through...thanks a lot for adding that, Prisma!

Today, August 1, Emperor Akihito opened the extraordinary Diet session at the National Diet in Tokyo:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

You're welcome!

On 3rd August, HM Emperor Akihito attended the Attestation Ceremony for the new ministers of The Third Abe Reshuffled Cabinet took place at Imperial Palace.

Source: https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/08/03/abe-reshuffled-cabinet-2/

 

[Prisma]

More attestation ceremonies...

On 5th August, HM Emperor Akihito attended the attestation ceremony for the new vice ministers of The Third Abe Reshuffled Cabinet took place at Imperial Palace.

From: https://imperialfamilyjapan.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/attestation-ceremony-ii/

IHA reported Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko held a moment of silence at the Imperial Palace on the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

Source: https://twitter.com/shimaykkkt/status/761715677824552960

 

[Al_bina]

Thanks for the updates!

Emperor Akihito swore Ms Inada Tomomi in as the defense minster. She is the first female to occupy this post. Is Mr Taro Aso, Princess Nobuko's elder brother, still the finance minister?