Click on image to see photo at scrapetv.com

  Both Emperor Akihito of Japan and King Albert II of the Belgians have fallen sick and had to cancel some engagements. Yesterday the Imperial Household Agency announced that the emperor’s upcoming engagements have been cancelled for the entire week.  The emperor is well enough to sign laws but he cancelled the planned trip to Hayama. On monday emperor Akihito was still well enough to welcome Mexican president Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala, who are on a three day visit to Japan to celebrate 400 years of relations between the two countries.

The emperor was not the only monarch who fell sick, yesterday the royal palace in Brussels announced that king Albert II has the flu. The newspaper ‘De Morgen’ and the Eco Print Center saw the planned visit of the king, this thursday, postponed to March 9th. The court expect the king to be well enough on Monday, when he will receive the team of B-fast at the royal palace. B-fast is a team of aid workers who volunteered to help in Haiti.

Marengo Belgian Royals, Japanese Royals Emperor Akihito, Health, King Albert II

Click on image to see photo at fotoglif.com

The Japanese Royal Family marked the new year in several ways. On January 1st the Imperial Household Agency released several family pictures that were taken earlier in December. The pictures show the emperor and the empress, surrounded by their sons Naruhito and Akishino with their families.

View the image at yuko2ch.net

On saturday the Imperial family appeared at the bullit proof balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where they were cheered at by a enthausiastic crowd on the occassion of the new year. The emperor and his family made a few appearances a day on the balcony, all of which were announced to the public beforehand.

A day later emperor and empress hosted the new year reception at the Imperial palace in Tokyo where members of the government and the corps diplomatique were received.  The attendence of members of the extended Imperial family made it a glittering event. Although crown princess Masako arrived with tiara and in court dress at the palace she was not seen during the public part of the reception.

Marengo Japanese Royals Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Prince Akishino, Prince Naruhito, Princess Kiko, Princess Masako

Barack Obama concluded his two-day visit to Japan – the first country he visited on his nine-day Asian tour.

Speaking in front 1,500 people in Tokyo Concert Hall, Obama promised an ‘unshakable’ commitment to Asian security and re-affirmed the alliance between Japan and the United States.

During his speech, Barack Obama touched some lighter topics as well; he shared with the audiences his memories of a childhood visit to Japan and recalled being rather interested in consuming ‘matcha’ – green tea ice cream. He also sent his greetings to the small Japanese fishing town Obama, which was actively supporting his candidacy during the presidential campaign and which now enjoys a booming industry thanks to its famous namesake.

Obama also congratulated the Emperor on the 20th anniversary of his accession to the Throne.

Following his speech, the President had lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Upon arrival, Obama showed his respect for the Emperor with a deep bow, which will no doubt be warmly received in a country where bows are sign of great respect and regard.

The bow however proved controversial outside Japan, where a lot of English-language newspaper sported similar headlines – “How low can he go?” President Obama has already been in a centre of similar controversy, when he allegedly bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, which the White House denied.

Watch the video of Obama being welcomed by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko

Marsel Japanese Royals Bowing & Curtseying, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Official Visit, President Obama, United States of America

Tens of thousands of well-wishers lined the streets of Tokyo on Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s accession to the throne. On November 12, 1990 Emperor Akihito performed the Sokuirei (Ceremony of Enthronement), which marked the official beginning of his reign.

View the image at Zimbio

Parades, concerts and speeches by politicians, dignitaries, businessmen, leading athletes and actors marked the colourful festivities that lasted most of the day.

The celebrations started with the memorial ceremony at the National Theatre of Japan, where the Imperial Couple was greeted by the Government officials and dignitaries.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama then greeted the Emperor with three cheers of “Banzai!” – the traditional cheer when wishing someone long life.

The parade outside the Imperial Palace featured colourful floats and portable shrines in honour of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

After darkness fell, a crowd gathered in front of the Imperial Palace waving national flags and carrying traditional lanterns. Over 50,000 people gathered for a concert, performed in a garden outside the palace, which featured traditional and modern music. The Imperial couple watched the celebrations from a bridge.

Read more…

Marsel Japanese Royals Anniversary, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Enthronement

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko welcomed 1,699 distinguished guests to their annual Autumn Garden Party at the Akasaka Gyoen garden. Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Takamado and Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the party as well.

The guests included actress Mitsuko Mori, astronaut Koichi Wakata and director Yojiro Takita.  The Emperor broke the rule of never inquiring about a lady’s age and asked Mitsuko Mori: “You’re almost 90, aren’t you?” Mori, however, didn’t appear to mind: she smiled and replied, “Yes, next year”. Mori also spoke of her memories of the night the Emperor was born, when all the sirens in Kyoto sound to announce the birth of the Heir. The Empress, meanwhile, had a conversation with Wakata. The astronaut spoke of his experience of the “perfect darkness” of space – a reference to a poem read by Empress Michiko at the 1997 New Year’s poetry reading. “When I was on the International Space Station, the ‘perfect darkness’ of space seemed to be filled up with dreams and hopes,” he said.

The Imperial Family has yet more causes for celebration.

October 22 marks the 68th wedding anniversary of Takahito, Prince Mikasa (Emperor Hirohito’s younger brother) and Yuriko Takagi, the daughter of Viscount Masanori Takagi. Prince Mikasa is Emperor Akihito’s only surviving paternal uncle.

On October 23, Princess Mako turns 18. Mako is the elder daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko and the first grandchild for the Emperor and Empress. Mako is currently a student at Gakushūin High School.

Princess Yoko of Mikasa turns 16 on October 25. Yoko is the younger daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Nobuko Aso. Prince Tomohito is the eldest son of Prince and Princess Mikasa and Heir to the Princely House of Mikasa-no-miya. Nobuko, Princess Tomohito is the daughter of Takakichi Asō and Kazuko (the daughter of former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida), as well as the sister of former Prime Minister Tarō Asō. Princess Yoko has graduated Gakushūin College with a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Relations and has been a practitioner of the traditional Japanese martial art of kendō from an early age.

To learn more about Imperial Family of Japan, visit this thread.

Marsel Japanese Royals Birthday, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Garden Party, Prince Mikasa, Princess Mako, Princess Yoko

On October 14, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended a gathering in Tokyo to mark the 50th anniversary of a convention for Japanese people living abroad. Some 200 people of Japanese descent from 20 counties attended the assembly.

The Emperor stressed the importance of immigrants for helping other countries understand Japan better. He reminded that the history of Japanese emigration had started 141 years ago, when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii. Prime Minister Yuko Hatoyama’s message was also read during the gathering.

The first convention took place in 1959 and has been held annually since 1962: it is aimed at strengthening solidarity and promoting cultural and personal exchanges between their countries and Japan. Members of the Imperial Family attend the event every year.

Today, over 2.5 million people of Japanese ancestry live abroad, with the biggest Japanese communities formed in the United States, Brazil, Vanda, Australia and Peru. Most of them maintain close ties with their ancestral land.

Marsel Japanese Royals Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Immigration

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko invited Princess Kiko and little Prince Hisahito to join them for a little sea excursion near the Imperial Villa in the town of Hayama, south of Tokyo. The Imperial Family took a small boat they rowed themselves for the excursion; the boat had been used by Emperor Showa for his research of sea creatures. After they returned, the family proudly watched as 3-years-old Prince Hisahito steadily walked off the boat on a narrow plank: although the little Prince walked unaided, his grandparents, mother and local people all kept watchful eyes on him.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko then showed their informal side, helping people to bring the boat ashore. Their Imperial Majesties appeared to be in good health and physical form and had obviously enjoyed the excursion. Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito looked delighted with the family outing as well. Princesses Kako, Mako and Aiko wouldn’t be able to join the family because the school year has already started.

Meanwhile, President Lee Myung-bak expressed hope today that Emperor Akihito will visit Seoul next year on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Japan’s annexation of Korea. President Lee hopes that the visit would help to move Japanese-Korean relationships forward and would be a symbolic gesture to put an end to historical tensions between the two neighbors.

During a press conference, President Lee said: “Korea and Japan have difficulty in improving relations due to the past. Emperor Akihito’s visit to Seoul will have a significant meaning and would show that the countries can leave the past behind and try to develop a future-oriented relationship. The visit would be meaningful, produce positive results, and be a step permanently removing the distance between the two countries. The Emperor has traveled all around the world, but couldn’t visit Korea. I’m confident that Japanese-Korean relations will improve rapidly if he visits Korea”.

Marsel Japanese Royals Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, President Lee, Prince Hisahito, Princess Kiko, South Korea

It’s been fifteen years since Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited the Hawaiian Islands, and like their last visit the Imperial couple were greeted with much fanfare.

Arriving at Hickam Air Force Base, the Emperor and Empress were officially welcomed by Gov. Linda Lingle, along with other local notables, who presented the couple with a traditional leis which were entwined with delicate local flowers and Maile leaves.

Minutes later the couple were whisked off to Kapiolani Park to visit the tree the Emperor planted some 49 years ago. Greeted with the true Aloha spirit the couple were cheered on by hundreds of locals as well as tourists as they passed by.

During their second day of their three-day visit the couple attended a wreath-laying ceremony on Wednesday July 15 at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl in Honolulu. The purpose of the event was to honor those who fought in various wars. The Emperor and Empress will also attend gala dinner at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in downtown Waikiki. The couple will end their visit in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

GlitteringTiaras Japanese Royals Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Official Visit, United States of America

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko spent three and half eventful days in British Columbia, Canada.

Upon arriving in Richmond, the Emperor and Empress were escorted by Premier Gordon Campbell on a tour of the Olympic Oval built for the 2010 Winter Games. They were greeted by other dignitaries, athletes, and a few hundred well wishers. Outside the Olympic Oval, the royal couple watched a performance of “Field of Spirit” by a Richmond children’s choir, a song that was written for the choir to commemorate the opening of the Olympic Oval. The Emperor and Empress were presented with 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative pins before leaving. Premier Campbell later issued a statement saying that the object of the visit will be to renew and strengthen B.C.’s strong ties with Japan. “Their Majesties’ visit highlights the importance of British Columbia and Japan as strong partners as we move forward with our Asia Pacific strategy.”

In Victoria, Lt.-Gov. Stephen Point welcomed the Imperial Couple to Government House (the Lt.-Governor’s residence).  For Akihito, this was a trip down memory lane for it was at Government House that he stayed as a 19-year-old Crown Prince on his way to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. “It left a very strong impression on him. He has always wanted to retrace those memories and share them with the Empress,” said Mr. Numata, former Japanese Ambassador to Canada.  Read more…

Capricorn Japanese Royals Canada, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, State Visit

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrived in Toronto on Wednesday as part of their state visit to Canada.  On their agenda, was a trip to Toronto’s Hospital For Sick Children commonly known as Sick Kids (see a video here).

The Imperial Couple later met with Lt.-Gov. David Onley at the his residence and then with Premier Dalton McGuinty at the Ontario Legislature.

They visited the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on Thursday evening and a seniors’ home on Friday morning before leaving for British Columbia where they may be facing a tense situation as  a group of veterans and other interested parties are expecting an apology or expression of regret for past wars from the Emperor .

Turnouts to greet the Imperial couple have seemed rather small as compared to other royal visits during their stay in Toronto.

More information can be found in this thread.

Capricorn Japanese Royals Canada, Children, Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Hospital, State Visit