Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako Current Events Part 1: May 2019 -

[Prisma]

On March 7th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and First Lady Carmen Iohannis at the Imperial residence for ~30 minutes.

Discussion topics: Ukraine, refugees, respect Romanian's support for Ukraine, hopes peace will return soon, Japan-Romania exchanges

Emperor Naruhito said, "I am deeply saddened so many people have died in the war. I sincerely hope that peace will return as soon as possible." Empress Masako asked about exchange projects between Romanian and Japanese high schools.

Photos/info: NTV, Sankei, Jiji

https://www.facebook.com/klausiohann...nosRxL5y1zodAl
https://twitter.com/KlausIohannis/st...30367203704832

https://youtu.be/nizoQzlwCMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUDjQBs7tA8

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Next week, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will meet President João Lourenço of Angola and First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço during the couple's official working visit to Japan from March 12 to 15.
Source: https://www.mofa.go.jp/afr/af2/ao/page3e_001320.html

ETA: They will meet the President and First Lady of Angola on March 13 according to NTV.

[Prisma]

More photos of the meeting with the President and First Lady of Romania: https://8760.news-postseven.com/91921

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On March 9th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Ishida Masaru, Administrative Deputy Minister of the Reconstruction Agency, at the Imperial residence regarding the current situation and issues in areas recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake, which will mark its 12th anniversary soon.

Source: Sankei

[Prisma]

On March 13th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met President João Lourenço of Angola and First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço at the Imperial residence for about 25 minutes. Topics included overcoming civil war, leadership, drought in Angola, and economic cooperation.

Later, Their Majesties met 95 recipients of the National Police Agency Commissioner’s commendation at the Imperial Palace's Shunju-no-Ma (Grand Hall). They spoke to several attendees for about 10 minutes.

Photos: Asahi, Jiji

Although Japan's Covid-19 face mask guidelines were dropped on March 13 and leaves the decision to the individual, the Imperial Household Agency requested masks considering today's events had conversation at close range for a length of time.

In addition, the agency recommends staff supporting elderly Imperial family members to continue to wear masks. Other employees can follow the updated government guidelines.

https://twitter.com/tv_asahi_news/st...92201671618566
https://youtu.be/Sh2YRvglh3s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlTbJZH2U6M

[Prisma]

AP Images for audience with police officers

Emperor, Empress Attend Event While Wearing Masks - The Japan News

The Emperor and Empress wore masks to attend two events held at the Imperial Palace on Monday, the same day government guidelines for wearing masks were relaxed.

[...]

The Imperial Household Agency said it asked the Imperial couple and attendees to wear masks as they were expected to talk with each other at close range.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neXrOhV2qtk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl2ltc0Sso4

[Prisma]

On March 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met recipients of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize at the Imperial residence.

Photos: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/gonittei/photo/21657

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency reported Emperor Naruhito's family watched the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final on March 22 (Japan Time) and are delighted with Japan's first victory in 14 years. They also praised the good match of both Japanese and American teams.

Sources: Sankei

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On March 24th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met 10 recipients of the "51st Medical Achievement Award," presented by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, at the Imperial residence. THe

Photos: Sankei, TBS

https://youtu.be/5R7fE8FAEeQ

After 7pm, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko privately visited the Seikado Bunko Museum in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo. The museum has a "Hina Dolls of the Iwasaki Family" exhibition which ends on Sunday, March 26. The Emperor's family have visited museums after closing or on closed days since late 2022.

Photos/video: FNN, FNN2

https://youtu.be/cS6l0jfH2G8