Crown Prince Naruhito and Family: News and Photos 3

[mandyy]

Tuesday May 31, 9:45 PM

Panel members on imperial succession hear opinions from experts

(Kyodo) _ A government panel on imperial succession heard opinions Tuesday from four experts on the imperial system as part of the process of compiling a report, possibly by this fall, on whether to allow a female to ascend the Imperial throne.

Four experts presented their views in front of reporters as well as panel members in order to address ways to ensure what the panel calls "a stable imperial succession."

The four are among eight experts chosen by the advisory panel, consisting of 10 members. The remaining four will meet the panel on June 8 to express their views.

A focus of attention is whether to revise the 1947 Imperial House Law, which stipulates that only male heirs who have emperors on their father's side can accede to the imperial throne.

Given the fact that no male heir has been born since 1965, the survival of the imperial family is in peril.

The panel wants the experts to present "a wide range of opinions" before compiling the report, Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, a former president of the University of Tokyo who heads the panel, has said.

​

Two of the four experts who spoke Tuesday proposed maintaining the current imperial succession system.

Yasuo Ohara, a professor at Kokushikan University, and Hidetsugu Yagi, an associate professor at Takasaki City University of Economics, opposed any measures that might break the male line of descent in imperial succession, including allowing a female monarch or succession by heirs who have emperors on their mothers' side.

The remaining two -- Hiroshi Takahashi, a professor at Shizuoka University of Welfare, and Koichi Yokota, a professor at Ryutsu Keizai University -- basically supported a proposal for allowing female monarchs.

Among Japan's 125 emperors, including those known only in legend, there were eight female monarchs -- between the sixth and 18th centuries -- with two of them reigning twice under different names.

But the throne always went back to a male in the male line.

Ohara said panel members should discuss ways to maintain the current succession system -- ensuring only male heirs who have emperors on their fathers' side can accede to the throne -- before entering discussions on allowing female monarchs or allowing a female line of descent.

He proposed families which were divested of imperial status shortly after World War II be returned to imperial status to help secure candidates qualified to ascend the throne.

"We shouldn't easily decide to allow a female monarch. I am concerned about rushing toward a conclusion," he said.

Yagi also said that the male-line succession is Japan's "irreplaceable culture" and that the matter should be discussed with "great caution."

Meanwhile, Takahashi from Shizuoka University of Welfare, proposed a succession system in which precedence is to be given to the royal firstborn regardless of gender, saying such a system is easy to understand for the general public.

Yokota from Ryutsu Keizai University agreed, saying such a system would ensure "stable" imperial succession compared with the present system and would gain support from the public relatively easily.

In the previous May 11 meeting, the panel members were presented four options for allowing a female to ascend the throne, in addition to the present imperial succession system.

One of the four options gives precedence in imperial succession to the emperor's firstborn regardless of gender. In the three other options, males are given precedence to females in ascending the throne.

If the current succession system is changed to give precedence to the royal firstborn regardless of gender, 3-year-old Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, will become second in line to the throne after her father.

If precedence to males is stipulated under the revised rule, Princess Aiko will be the seventh in line to the throne, after her father Crown Prince Naruhito, his brother Prince Akishino, the emperor's brother Prince Hitachi and three other male members of the family. The order of the first six heirs in line is the same as stipulated under the current law.

The panel members are to narrow down their discussions on the options after hearing opinions from the experts. The panel members are six academics, a former Supreme Court justice, a business leader, a former deputy chief Cabinet secretary, and a senior government official.

 

[carlota]

the crown prince and crown princess of japan will host a dinner for the crown prince of spain and his wife letizia ortiz. let's hope to see some photos of masako!

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

1.With Britain's Prince Edward in January 1998
2.Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L), who will celebrate his 35th birthday February 23 1995, relaxes Crown Princess Masako at the Togu Palace.
3.Japanese Crown Princess Masako (R) follows Crown Prince Naruhito as they leave the opening session of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan May 11th 1997. Naruhito made a speech welcoming the ADB meeting, which marks the 30th anniversary, at the session.
4.Japan's Crown Princess Masako, seen in this June 28 file photo, will have a test December 13th 1999 to confirm if she is pregnant, a prospect that has stirred a media frenzy in a nation anxious for a royal baby boy who would be heir to the chrysanthemum throne. If Masako, 36, has a boy, the baby would be second in line to the throne after his father, Crown Prince Naruhito.

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

1.Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (R) and Crown Princess Masako bow their heads to lay chrysanthemums on the altar of late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi during the funeral ceremony in Tokyo 08 June 2000.

2.Japan's Crown Princess Masako, who celebrates her 37th birthday December 9, 2000, smiles with her husband Crown Prince Naruhito as they take a stroll through their Akasaka Palace garden in Tokyo.

3.Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L) and Crown Princess Masako (R) are seen before the start of a concert at Akasaka Guesthouse in Tokyo 27 March 2001. The royal couple attend the event with Norwegian King Harald, Queen Sonja, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko prior to a Banquet.

4.Japanese Crown Princess Masako waves as Belgian Princess Mathilde looks on in Tokyo in this September 26, 2000 file photo.

5.Japan's Crown Princess Masako leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo May 16, 2001.

 

[HMQueenElizabethII]

the crown prince and crown princess of japan will host a dinner for the crown prince of spain and his wife letizia ortiz. let's hope to see some photos of masako!

Thanks for the news Carlota.I would love to see the new pictures of Felipe,Letizia,Masako and Naruhito.

 

[tlklhm]

Masako looks better with the shoulder-length hairstyle. The current hair-style aged her a lot. Seems like both Masako and her sister in-law, Kiko have similar hairstyle - maybe instruction from IHA?

 

[zarzuela]

Dinner with Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako. As previously announced, Princess Masako does not appear in the pictures. By the way, Letizia looks fantastic when wearing red clothes!

 

[lucys]

From AAP--

 

[Elsa M.]

http://actualidad.terra.es/nacional/articulo/principes_asturias_principes_naruhito_masako_335883.htm


The last act of the visit of Don Felipe and Doña Letizia to Japan was a dinner with the Crown Prince of Japan, Naruhito, and his wife, Princess Masako. At 7:30 p.m. (10.30 GMT), the Princes of Asturias arrived at the Palace of Akasaka, in Tokyo, where they were received by Prince Naruhito. A spokesman of the Imperial House informed that Princess Masako greeted the Princes in the interior of the Palace, without the presence of mass media.

Before the dinner, Princes Naruhito and Masako presented their only daughter, Princess Aiko, of three years old, to their Spanish guests. Last Friday, on their first day in Tokyo, the Princes of Asturias were received by the Emperors Akihito and Michiko, who offered them a dinner at the ImperialPalace. If on that night Doña Letizia chose a pre-mother pink coat and suit, today she also wore a short sleeve coat with a red dress.

With this dinner, the Princes of Asturias finish their three-day visit to Japan, during which they have met the Spanish community that lives and works here, as well as the participants of the VIII Forum Spain-Japan, in Shirahama.

Today in the morning they have visited the Universal Exhibition of Aichi, on the outskirts of Nagoya. At 10:30 p.m. (13.30 GMT), approximately, the airplane of the Spanish Air Force took the Princes back to Spain, with a technical scale in Moscow.

 

[carlota]

It's A Real Pity We Could Not See Masako
I Hope She Is Ok...

 

[agm]

From http://www.lfi.co.uk/

 

[rchainho]

thanks a lot for the photos agm.

 

[micas]

Why the pics are being post in this topic?

 

[Elsa M.]

Why the pics are being post in this topic?

In order to deal with some problems of space, The Royal Forum's team has decided that, when there is an act attended by members of different Royal Houses, the photos should be posted at the thread dedicated to the receiving party.
Since this dinner was offered by Prince Naruhito and his family, you have the answer.

 

[mandyy]

a photo from TBS news

 

[mandyy]

Japan, as host of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture, kicked off a week of events on June 6 to celebrate Japan Day and Japan Week at the world fair with an opening ceremony attended by Crown Prince Naruhito, honorary president of the expo, and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

Monday June 6, 2:24 PM

LEAD: Japan Week kicks off at Aichi Expo featuring world music

(Kyodo) _ (EDS: ADDING CROWN PRINCE'S COMMENTS IN 3RD GRAF)

Japan, as host of the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture, kicked off a week of events beginning Monday to celebrate Japan Day and Japan Week at the world fair, featuring concerts by Japanese jazz legend Sadao Watanabe and children from around the world.

Crown Prince Naruhito, honorary president of the expo, and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi were among the guests who attended the Japan Day opening ceremony in the afternoon at the Nagakute main site, just east of Nagoya.

Japan Day "is a great opportunity to let the world know our efforts to make the earth a better place for our future generations," the crown prince said at the ceremony.

In addition to music and dance performances that represent traditional Japanese culture, the highlights are the concerts by the 72-year-old Watanabe and young musicians from Brazil, Japan, Portugal, Senegal and the United States every evening from 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The finale concerts will be held from 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. "Children and music are the best channels to get the world to forget about national borders and contemplate about global issues together," Watanabe, chief director of Japan Week at the expo, said earlier. "I want this not only to be a national day for Japan but also an international day."

 

[rchainho]

http://www.lavanguardia.es/web/20050606/51186542334.html

Masako prepares a supper for the Princes

MARIÁNGEL PALACE - 06/06/2005
TOKYO

The princes of Asturias closed their trip to Japan with a joy that arrived to them from Barcelona: the birth of the daughter of infant Cristina. Shortly before midnight (seven hours less in Spain), the airplane of the Air Force initiated the long flight towards Spain, more than 10.000 kilometers, the distance that the news del birth of the small one crossed in few seconds.

The princess, embarrassed of 16 weeks, she has surpassed the test of Japan satisfactorily without its state has given him minimum malaise. In Tokyo, and concretely in its encounter with the imperial family, Friday with the emperors, Akihito and Michiko, and yesterday, Sunday, with the heirs, Naruhito and Masako, Doña Letizia have shone dresses premother, although its state is disguised totally when it uses his habitual suits with skirt or trousers.

At night the Princess yesterday shone a set of dress and shelter red color, with steering wheels in the sleeves of clear inspiration Andalusian, to go to the palace of Akasaka, calls to account of the inheriting princes. Masako, which although officially it is recovered of the depression that suffered does not appear in public, did not accompany to Naruhito in the recibimiento the Princes, but one was in charge personally of the supper and one was even interested in the tastes of Doña Letizia to prepare the menu, that was not Japanese but of French kitchen. Masako presented/displayed to the Princes its Aiko daughter, of 4 years. The girl, to whom the prevailing sálica law in Japan prevents to happen to its father, is the only daughter of Naruhito and Masako and its future as empress depends on the promulgation of a new law that allows the access of the women to the throne of the Crisantemo.

In the evening, the Princes returned to Tokyo after traveling by Spain within the Spanish pavilion of the Expo de Aichi, located in the city of Nagoya, to 300 kilometers to the south of the Japanese capital. Don Felipe and Doña Letizia crossed part of the facilities of the universal sample that happens to those of Seville and Hannover. The Spanish pavilion, covered of hexagonal of brown, yellow and red ceramics, has its strong plate in a bar of covers and a store of Loewe, that surround the orchard by cardboard stone designed by Javier Marshal, the corner of the Quijote, other dedicated to the celebrations popular, one more to the Spanish sport and another one, the inventions. To ppríncipes they liked the pavilion or, at least, that said.

 

[EmpressRouge]

I got myself a copy June 1993 issue of Vanity Fair when my school was clearing out old magazine issues. In it was a detailed article about CP Masako's engagement to CP Naruhito called "Masako's Sacrifice." It was very indepth considering how the Japanese imperial family is much less in the public eye then say the Windsors. I was wondering if anyone else has read the article?

Basically the article discusses Naruhito's fears that at age 33, he was the eldest unmarried heir apparent in the family's history and how he might end up as Japan's last emperor. Before Masako, other women had also turned down Naruhito's proposal fearing the isolation and strictness of the court that had plagued Empress Michiko as CP. "...But every time the prince displayed the slightest interest, the young woman in question would deliver a polite rebuff, or marry somebody else, or threaten to commit suicide, or, in one celebrated case, flee the country without leaving a forwarding address.” It goes on to discuss how it was probably the Empress who, in a private meeting, finally convinced Masako to accept, the couple’s individual and family backrounds, the role of women in traditional Japanese society and conservative’s reservations about Masako: “Masako was too old, too tall, and, in the eyes of the Imperial Household Agency, far too ‘Americanized.’” “‘She’s Japan’s Hillary Clinton.’”

 

[mandyy]

Japan's Crown Prince Impressed by Bulgarian Wine

Bulgaria in Brief: 6 June 2005, Monday.

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito has visited the Bulgarian pavilion at the EXPO 2005 in Aichi, media reported on Monday. In a conversation with Bulgaria's Economy Minister Milko Kovachev, the prince has said that Bulgaria-made wine and rose oil, as well as the Bulgarian folklore have left him very impressed. Bulgarian press also says that the country's pavilion is enjoying notable interest at the major exhibition. Visitors are reportedly enjoying Bulgaria's organic foods, especially the unique yoghurt. The Bulgarian pavilion - decorated with rose petals - is also offering honey, herbs and rose-blossom marmalade.

 

[mandyy]

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito waves to the crowd as he walks in front of the Spanish Pavilion at the Aichi World Expo, in Nagakute east of Nagoya, central Japan, Monday 06 June 2005. Naruhito, honorary president of the expo, and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi attended the Japan Day opening ceremony and toured the Expo site.

 

[agisele]

Wow. Letizia looks absolutely stunning in red. It's a real pity that we did not have a chance to see Masako.

 

[mandyy]

Pic #1:Crown Prince Naruhito listens to an explanation during his visit to the Japan pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture on June 6.

Pic#2:Crown Prince Naruhito (R, front) visits the Mexican pavilion at the World Exposition site in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on June 7.

Pic#3:Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd from R) visits the American pavilion and is briefed on the Mars probe at the World Exposition site in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on June 7.

Pic #4:Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd from L) visits the Yemen pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on June 8.

Pic #5:Crown Prince Naruhito (C) tours the South Korean pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on June 8.

Pic #6-7:Crown Prince Naruhito visits the Bhutan pavilion at the 2005 World Exposition in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture, on June 8.

 

[mandyy]

News
Crown Prince Naruhito is longing for a more productive job than waving to crowds and his wife, Crown Princess Masako, is still adjusting to being a "goldfish in a bowl," one of the commoners closest to the royal family says.

 

[mandyy]

Another photo of their visit to Togu Palace

 

[mandyy]

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (2nd L), accompanied by his wife Sheikha Mozah (L) and his daughter Al-Mayassa (R), is wlecomed by Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito upon their arrival at the Togu Palace in Tokyo, 09 June 2005. Hamad is on a three-day visit to Tokyo.

 

[mandyy]

Panel gets qualified OK for female on the throne
Three of four academics told a government panel on Imperial succession Wednesday it would be acceptable to revise the current law to allow females to sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne, although two said males should be given preference.

It was the second time the advisory panel heard expert opinions; the first was at the previous meeting on May 31.

The panel, tasked with submitting a report to the government on the succession issue this fall, has been discussing a proposal to revise the 1947 Imperial House Law, which stipulates that only a male heir with emperors on his father's side can assume the throne.

The panel is discussing ways to ensure a stable Imperial succession, as the Imperial family is facing a difficult situation since no male heirs have been born since 1965.

Akinori Takamori, a visiting Takushoku University professor, said in Wednesday's session, open to the media, that succession restrictions must be eased.

"The current law has the strictest restrictions ever in history over the qualifications for Imperial succession," Takamori said. "Considering public opinion and thinking realistically, the restriction that limits succession only to heirs in the male line should be excluded."

But he said direct male descendants should have priority over elder sisters since most of Japan's 125 monarchs have been men.

Japan had eight female monarchs -- between the sixth and 18th centuries -- with two of them reigning twice. But the throne always reverted to a male from the male line.

Isao Tokoro, a professor at Kyoto Sangyo University, said there is "great significance" in the fact that Imperial succession from the male line was practiced for more than 1,000 years.

But he added it was "impossible" to continue the succession under such restrictions.

Although female monarchs should be allowed, males should be given precedence, because women can be expected to perform other "important roles," including bearing children, Tokoro said.

At the May 31 meeting, the panel was presented with four options that would allow a female to ascend the throne. They could also choose to recommend keeping the current male-only succession.

One of the options would allow the emperor's firstborn regardless of gender to take the throne. In the three other options, males would be given precedence over females.

If the system is changed to give precedence to the firstborn regardless of gender, 3-year-old Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, would be second in line to the throne after her father.

If precedence is given to males, Princess Aiko would be seventh in line, after her father, his brother, Prince Akishino, Emperor Akihito's brother, Prince Hitachi, and three other male members of the Imperial Family.
The Japan Times: June 9, 2005

 

[mandyy]

Friday June 10, 7:49 PM

FOCUS: Female Japanese monarch simply a matter of time

(Kyodo) _ The Japanese public knows little about what the government panel on imperial succession is discussing. But the people, whether interested or not, will witness a historic change in the world's oldest hereditary monarchy when the panel releases a key report in a few months.

The panel, established in January, has been tasked with discussing whether to allow a female to ascend the throne in light of the fact that no male child has been born to the imperial family in the past 40 years.

At the center of the 10-member panel's discussion is whether to revise the Imperial House Law, which stipulates that only male heirs can succeed to the Imperial Throne.

Analysts believe the panel reaching a decision in favor of revising the law is a foregone conclusion. They add Japan having a female monarch is simply a matter of time.

The panel meets only once or twice in month despite its mission of compiling a proposal for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, possibly in several months. In addition, it includes only a few experts on imperial household affairs. This has spawned speculation that the panel is just playing for time while floating a trial balloon to assess public sentiment on the sensitive issue of whether to enable female imperial family members to ascend the throne.

 

[mandyy]

Books with Princess Masako on the cover

 

[mandyy]

2 books with Princess Aiko on the cover
Pic #1-5: This book introduces the products and brand names that Princess Aiko uses
Pic #6: this 2nd book contains photographs of the Princess' first year

 

[mandyy]

Belgian Crown Prince Philippe chats with Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito upon his arrival for a lucheon at the Togu Palace in Tokyo, 17 June 2005. Crown Prince Philippe is here on a week-long visit.