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


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Japan Emperor, Empress Struggling with Roles amid Virus Crisis | Nippon.com
[...] The Imperial couple has appeared only at the Imperial Palace recently, with all of their key regular domestic trips, including the one to attend the annual National Sports Festival, canceled this year.

The Imperial Household Agency has uploaded on its webpage the couple's remarks made during briefings including by a noted coronavirus expert at the Akasaka Imperial Residence, where the couple lives.

With their public exposure limited so far since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, some pundits are calling for the agency to use social media more actively to disseminate information on the couple as some foreign royal families do.

[...]
The Japanese version Jiji has more:

Professor Takeshi Hara of Open University of Japan, author of books such as "The End of Heisei" and specializes in the Imperial family, says while Emperor Naruhito has fulfilled his role in Imperial rituals, activities with the public as "symbol of Japan" has not been possible. However, the Imperial couple look quite equal with images showing them seated side-by-side at briefings and releasing Empress Masako's messages, not just Emperor Naruhito's. If there is a video message from the couple, then differences from Heisei will be more apparent.

Japanese historian and Professor Naotaka Kimizuka of Kanto Gakuin University notes how other royal families addressed the people directly via TV speeches. There is no such initiative in Japan. The government is responsible for any crisis such as COVID-19 but the royal family can have a role too. Other royal houses' videos and photos on SNS are very well received by the public. It is not enough to convey a message on the IHA website. SNS will allow the Imperial family to communicate without needing to meet people directly which is appropriate for the current pandemic.

Women's magazine news-postseven (17 July 2020) ponders the same questions.
- Unprecedented that Empress Masako's remarks are also released
- Their Majesties sent condolences for Kyushu's heavy rain damage, why not a video message?
- IHA's ability is being tested. The agency is committed to following precedent and reluctant to try new ideas.
- Video messages to the public are still rare. 1995's Great Hanshin earthquake did not merit a televised message. Emperor Akihito addressed the nation 5 days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but COVID-19 is a gradual and continuing crisis. The peak and timing are difficult to judge.
 
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Japan Emperor, Empress Struggling with Roles amid Virus Crisis | Nippon.com

The Japanese version Jiji has more:

Professor Takeshi Hara of Open University of Japan, author of books such as "The End of Heisei" and specializes in the Imperial family, says while Emperor Naruhito has fulfilled his role in Imperial rituals, activities with the public as "symbol of Japan" has not been possible. However, the Imperial couple look quite equal with images showing them seated side-by-side at briefings and releasing Empress Masako's messages, not just Emperor Naruhito's. If there is a video message from the couple, then differences from Heisei will be more apparent.

Japanese historian and Professor Naotaka Kimizuka of Kanto Gakuin University notes how other royal families addressed the people directly via TV speeches. There is no such initiative in Japan. The government is responsible for any crisis such as COVID-19 but the royal family can have a role too. Other royal houses' videos and photos on SNS are very well received by the public. It is not enough to convey a message on the IHA website. SNS will allow the Imperial family to communicate without needing to meet people directly which is appropriate for the current pandemic.

Women's magazine news-postseven (17 July 2020) ponders the same questions.
- Unprecedented that Empress Masako's remarks are also released
- Their Majesties sent condolences for Kyushu's heavy rain damage, why not a video message?
- IHA's ability is being tested. The agency is committed to following precedent and reluctant to try new ideas.
- Video messages to the public are still rare. 1995's Great Hanshin earthquake did not merit a televised message. Emperor Akihito addressed the nation 5 days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but COVID-19 is a gradual and continuing crisis. The peak and timing are difficult to judge.

Thank you for translating this; it is quite enlightening. I would otherwise not have known that releasing the empress's remarks was an unprecedented modernization.

Would the emperor require the government's permission or at least acquiescence to release a video message? Apparently there is increasing dissatisfaction with the government's COVID-19 response, so I wonder whether they would appreciate the contrast in public reactions between a message from a trusted figurehead versus political leaders.
 
On July 27th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on COVID-19's impact on corporate activities such as telework issues and efforts to maintain employment for about an hour.

Koga Nobuyuki, Chairman of the Board of Councillors at Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)
Akio Mimura, Chairman of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Kengo Sakurada, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives)

Sources: Sankei Imperial Weekly 562, news24.jp, news.tbs.co.jp

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On August 4th, the Imperial Household Agency reported Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donated to Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Oita Prefectures which were severely damaged by heavy rain in July.

Source: Sankei
 
On August 11th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General of Disarmament Affairs, for an hour at Akasaka Imperial residence.

Emperor, Empress meet with UN disarmament official | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...] Nakamitsu briefed them on the UN efforts and challenges in seeking nuclear disarmament.

She said that during her visit to the atomic-bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, she was pleased to know that young people are disseminating information about the bombings to the world online.

The Emperor and Empress praised the fact that young people are inheriting memories of the tragedies. They said that although negotiations between governments are important, education is also very important for disarmament as well.

The couple presented Nakamitsu a copy of an essay written by their daughter, Princess Aiko, based on her experience when she visited the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima.

After the one-hour meeting, Nakamitsu said the Emperor and Empress told her that they believe the work on disarmament must involve great difficulties as tensions have risen among world powers. [...]

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On August 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the memorial ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. About 540 people attended the scaled down ceremony, seated 1 meter apart, and all wore face masks. The national anthem was performed but not sung.

Photos: Mainichi, Getty Images

Text of address by Emperor Naruhito on occasion of memorial ceremony for war dead - The Mainichi

Japan marks 75th anniversary of WWII surrender amid pandemic - Kyodo News
[...] Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed not to repeat the tragedy of the war, saying, "We will never forget that the peace and prosperity we are enjoying today are built on the ultimate sacrifices of the war dead."

Abe, who is eager to revise the postwar pacifist Constitution, did not refer to Japan's wartime aggression, in line with his statements at previous memorial ceremonies since taking office in 2012.

Meanwhile, Emperor Naruhito, the country's first emperor born after the war, made a rare public appearance amid the pandemic with his wife Empress Masako and expressed "deep remorse" during the annual memorial service, as he did last year. [...]
Full ceremony
 
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Well, it's nice to know that PM Abe, won't repeat the mistake, because his nationalistic and unapologetic policy sure ain't making it easier for Japans neighbors to forgive and forget.

And it's interesting he is thanking the sacrifices of those who died during the war as being the foundation for Japans prosperity. - They were canon-fodder for the nationalist and militarists. Something that Abe, and those who support him have a convenient tendency to omit.
And Japans (and Korea) can directly be attributed to American economic aide as a counterweight to Communist China and North Korea.
Japan itself was one big pile of rubble.

By the summer of 45 American and British battleships were routinely, repeat routinely, sailing up and down the Japanese coast bombarding Japanese ports and cities.
The Japanese infrastructure was being reduced to ox-carts by constant strafing by aircraft based planes. At at night city after city was burned down by heavy bombers.
The Japanese islands were increasingly being isolated by minefields. There were next to no ships sailing between the Japanese islands.

A US report after the war estimated that Japan would have been forced to surrender no later than by the end of 45, perhaps ultimo November, in order to avoid a catastrophic famine.

There is a funny story about the surrender which illustrates the inter-rivalry between the various military branches.
After the capitulation had been announced, the Allied fleet prepared to sail into Tokyo Bay for the official surrender. And when that had taken place, US troops would start landing, establishing bridgeheads for the occupation of Japan. These landing sites had already been informed and Japanese forces in these areas were to withdraw and otherwise assist the Allies as much as they could.
But when transport planes with troops from the army landed at Yokohamas Atsugi airfield they were greeted by a banner saying: "Welcome to Atsugi from Third Fleet.
An unknown pilot from the aircraft carrier Yorktown had touched down the day before and ordered the remaining Japanese garrison to hang up the banner. - Against all orders.
And the flabbergasted Japanese had simply obeyed.
 
On August 20th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the International Online Conference to Address Water-related Disasters under COVID-19. Professor Hiroki Kenzo of the National Graduate Institute For Policy Studies, which co-organized the event, also attended from Akasaka residence.

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Emperor, Empress watch online water conference | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...] Government representatives and experts from about 40 nations took part in the conference. The participants said countries need to cooperate to reduce water-related disaster risks in the face of the pandemic.

The event was chaired by Professor Hiroki Kenzo of the National Graduate Institute For Policy Studies. He said the Emperor listened intently and took notes.

Hiroki added that the Emperor said the conference was very meaningful and he hopes countries around the world will join hands to overcome the challenges.
Experts Call for Stronger Risk Management on Health and Water Disasters in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic | Asian Development Bank
Stronger and more integrated risk management is needed on health and water-related disasters in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, experts heard today at an international online conference held in the presence of the Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.

The International Online Conference to Address Water-related Disasters under COVID-19 was jointly organized by the High Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Tokyo-based National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), and the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD). [...]
Screenshots from FNN, NNN, TBS/JNN
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There appears not to be a general thread, so I'll post this here.

The Japanese PM, Shinto Abe, will resign for health reason.

He has been dominating Japanese politics for many years, and no matter what, his resignation will also affect the Imperial Family, both directly and indirectly - and perhaps not least in regards to the succession issues.

Shinto Abe is a nationalist, who among other things, increased military spendings and wished to give Japan a more activist and military role abroad.
He has also been unapologetic in regards to Japans atrocities during WWII. - In contrast to the Imperial Family.

No doubt because Abe's grandfather was imprisoned for alleged war-crimes after WWII but not charged.
So admitting a national guilt, might very well also be admitting a family-guilt - and thus losing face.
A sentiment he is far from being alone in having in the current Japanese top echelons of the society.

Who will be the next PM, will be decisive for the Imperial Family, in regards to their personal relations with the government, in regards to their ideology and in regards to the succession issues.
Will the new PM be open for a female being the reigning emperor? Or will he (it's more than likely to be a man) be completely dismissive?
 
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On September 18th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for about 50 minutes at Akasaka Imperial Residence. 3 JOCV members returned from assignments in Egypt, Brazil, and the Solomon Islands. Shinichi Kitaoka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), also attended.

Videos: NHK, news24.jp, news.tbs.co.jp

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On October 1st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met educators to learn about the current state of education amid COVID-19. The 2 hour meeting at Akasaka Imperial residence covered topics such as technology, challenges, child abuse, and the physical and mental health of teachers and students.

- Yoji Maruyama, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
- Yuji Fujita, Director of the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education
- 喜名朝博 (Kina Tomohiro?) Chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Public Elementary School Directors' Association and Principal of Meiji Elementary School, Koto Ward
- Shigeru Hanada, Chairman of the Junior High School Principals Association and Principal of Kokubunji Municipal Second Junior High School

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Today, October 6, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko visited the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to see a building that is going to be their residence when the renovations are done:


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:previous: Emperor Naruhito also visited. He's barely visible in the back seat of the van.

NHK reports the family arrived before 4pm and spent about 3 hours viewing the renovation at the former Fukiage Sento Imperial residence. The work will be finished by end of year and when the Emperor's family moves in next year, the home will be renamed the Imperial residence.

AP Images
 
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On October 9th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda on the pandemic's economic and financial impact and the bank's response. Their Majesties listened carefully and were especially concerned about the impact on SMEs and local industries. Kuroda explained Hokkaido and Okinawa are greatly affected due to drop in tourists.

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BOJ Kuroda Briefs Emperor, Empress on Coronavirus Impacts | Nippon.com
[...] Kuroda explained to the Imperial couple the current state of the Japanese economy and recent developments on international financial markets, according to the central bank chief.

Showing great interest in the virus impacts on small companies and regional economies, the Emperor and the Empress expressed hopes for the government, the BOJ and people of the country to work together to overcome the difficulties.

Empress Masako voiced concern over the effects on specific regions of a drop in the number of visitors from abroad, according to Kuroda.
 
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On October 28th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Their Majesties arrived after 9:30am and worshipped separately, offering tamagushi (a sakaki-tree branch). [NHK, Nikkei]

The shrine was established on November 1, 1920, completed the next year, and the grounds completed in 1926.

AP Images, Getty Images, Getty Images2, Mainichi

This is the Imperial couple's second public duty since the pandemic started. They last ventured outside Imperial Palace and their Akasaka estate residence on August 15 for the 75th anniversary ceremony marking Japan's WWII surrender.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako last visited Meiji Shine in 2002.

ETA: Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko worshipped at Meiji Shrine later and visited an exhibition at Meiji Jingu Museum. Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko worshipped in the afternoon.

Mods, please move to Imperial family thread. Thank you!
 
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On November 13th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were updated on the coronavirus situation in Japan by Dr. Shigeru Omi, chair of the government COVID-19 panel. This is their second meeting with Dr. Omi; he briefed the couple in April.

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On November 18th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako held online meetings with 22 medical staff from Japanese Red Cross hospitals in Tokyo, Hokkaido, Fukushima and Okinawa. The meetings lasted over 2 hours. This is Their Majesties' first virtual visit and future online meetings will be considered.

Photos: Sankei Imperial Weekly 668 , jrc.or.jp

Japan Emperor, Empress Encourage Medical Workers Online | Nippon.com
... On Wednesday, the couple's residence in the Japanese capital's Minato Ward was connected, using a video link, with each of the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward and Red Cross hospitals in the city of Kitami in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, the northeastern city of Fukushima and the city of Naha, the capital of the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attentively listened to explanations from the heads of the hospitals, according to officials of the Japanese Red Cross Society. The couple also showed their respect for the activities of the medical staff and talked to each hospital worker attending the online sessions, the officials said.
Emperor, Empress talk to hospital frontline staff | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
... The Emperor asked what was the toughest part of their work or how many personnel were handling coronavirus patients. He also expressed sympathy, saying they must have endured a hard time during the prolonged pandemic.

Along with the Emperor, the Empress repeated questions about handling of critically ill patients and also asked what kind of worries medical workers had and availability of medical equipment and masks.

[...]

Honma Yukio, the head of the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center, noted that infections have risen sharply. He said he renews his resolve to fight the outbreak, after receiving warm words from the Emperor and Empress.
Finally the IHA setup virtual meetings for the emperor and empress. Sankei reported a convoluted reason, an agency aide said "If we adopted online at an early stage without knowing how far the effects of infectious diseases would spread, it could give the impression that this situation would be prolonged, so we carefully considered it."

The ANN video shows several IHA staff including the Grand Chamberlain and Chief Lady in Waiting on the other side of the room for the virtual meeting. I wonder why so many people need to be there? Online meetings are supposed to reduce physical proximity.
 
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Why the agency took so long to setup virtual visits for Their Majesties... It's strange because the Mikasa, Takamado and Akishino families utilized online recordings or visits earlier. I suppose the agency isn't too concerned about the burden or security related to the other families. :ermm:

Imperial couple reach out to health care workers online : The Asahi Shimbun
[...] Initially, agency officials were less than enthusiastic about using online systems. with one high-ranking official saying, “It is important for the emperor and empress to directly meet with and talk to people to ensure that their thoughts are passed on."

But the prolonged pandemic has led to the cancellation of a wide range of activities attended by the imperial couple, including annual events such as the National Arbor Day Festival and the National Sports Festival.

[...]

With few opportunities to interact with the public, the decision was made to go online.

But various issues have to be overcome to expand such interactions.

For one thing, the other party must have a sufficient internet environment to allow for videoconferences, including proper computer security measures.

“We will try various ways to use online systems after determining its effectiveness in various situations and also to ensure that an excessive burden is not placed on the other party,” a high-ranking agency official said.

[...]
 
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On November 25th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had online visits with senior facilities in Oita Prefecture and Tokyo in connection to September’s Respect for the Aged Day. They watched seniors exercise at "Hatsuratsu Kiyokawa" in Bungo-Ōno, Oita. The organization works to prevent long-term nursing care, gathering 25 people aged 72-93 to exercise with music once a week. Their Majesties met some of the participants, asking after their health, pandemic precautions, and impact of July’s heavy rains. Next, the Imperial couple watched elderly people repair and sell furniture at Silver Human Resources Center in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Usually facilities near Tokyo are selected for visits associated with Respect for the Aged Day (3rd Monday in September). Regarding Oita Prefecture’s selection, an agency official commented "it was a merit unique to online."

Photos: Asahi, Sankei Imperial Weekly 669

Emperor, Empress talk to senior citizens online | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...] They first watched people doing exercise to music in Oita.

The Empress told a 93-year-old man that he looked very young, and the Emperor asked him what the secrets to his health were. The man replied that he believed doing exercises and watching what he ate were the keys to good health.

The Emperor and Empress then watched video of elderly people repairing and selling furniture at the human resources center in Tokyo.

The Emperor asked a man in charge of sales whether the coronavirus pandemic is having an impact on the number of items sold. [...]
 
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On December 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Persons of Cultural Merit at the Imperial Palace's Matsukaze-no-Ma (Drawing Room). 13 of this year's 20 recipients attended the audience. Their Majesties usually host a tea ceremony for the laureates but that has been postponed due to the pandemic.

Getty Images, AP Images
 
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The Japanese Red Cross Society uploaded a video about Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's November 18 virtual visit to 4 JRCS hospitals. Besides speaking with staff, the Imperial couple also got a virtual tour.
 
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On December 14th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the opening ceremony of the Global Environmental Action (GEA) International Conference held at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The biennial conference was originally scheduled for March but postponed and adjusted per coronavirus measures. This year's theme is "Integration of environment and economy." [Sankei, Kyodo]

Photos: AP Images, Getty

Emperor addresses intl. environmental conference | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...]

The Emperor said work to protect the global environment from threats such as climate change is a pressing challenge.

He expressed hope that "lively discussions will be held and a message is delivered to people around the world in pursuit of a future in which we, our descendants, and all living things can enjoy the blessings of the global environment forever."

After the Emperor's address, a lecture was given by Professor Yoshino Akira, the co-winner of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

[...]

The conference will be held through Tuesday. Experts will discuss issues such as the promotion of renewable energies and measures to deal with marine plastic waste.
 
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Audiences with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace

November 2: commendations by Minister of Finance and Minister of Internal Affairs & Communications

December 3: commendations by Minister of Education

On December 17th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had an online visit with Epson Mizube, a company in Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture. A subsidiary of Seiko Epson Corporation, Epson Mizube employs 145 people with disabilities, over 70% of its workforce. Their Majesties spoke to employees and watched a video of their activities: bookbinding, cleaning, and sorting and disassembling used ink cartridges. The visit is connected to "Disability Week" (December 3-9).

Photos/video: NHK, news24.jp

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On December 23rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Yasumasa Fukushima from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare at Akasaka Imperial residence for a briefing on the spread of the new coronavirus and the development/status of vaccines in Japan and overseas.

On December 21st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Kozo Yamamoto, a member of the House of Representatives, and 8 other Diet members who received long-term commendation for 25+ years in office at the Imperial Palace's "Take no Ma" room.

Source: Sankei Imperial Weekly 673

Dec 21 arrival at Imperial Palace:
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On January 27th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had online meetings with survivors and relief workers from last year's heavy rain in Kumamoto Prefecture. They met Governor Ikuo Kabashima and connected to Hitoyoshi City, Yatsushiro, City, Ashikita Town, and Kuma Village.

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi

Japan Emperor, Empress Encourage Kumamoto Rain Victims Online | Nippon.com
[...]

At the start of the video session, Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima, from the Kumamoto prefectural government office, briefed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on the extent of damage from the rain disaster, which claimed 65 lives and left two people missing. Then, the Imperial couple's residence in Minato Ward in Tokyo and the municipal offices of the cities of Hitoyoshi and Yatsushiro, the town of Ashikita and the village of Kuma were connected online.

After watching a video showing afflicted areas soon after the disaster and how they look now, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako talked to surviving victims and people who engaged in relief activities, including firefighters and police officers.

"Are you doing all right as it's getting colder there?" the Emperor told Shuichi Yamagami, 76, from Hitoyoshi, who has still been evacuated and unable to return to his home. Yamagami's home was inundated to the second floor in the disaster.
Emperor, empress meet disaster survivors online | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...] The visit was the imperial couple's first to a disaster-stricken area via video link amid the coronavirus pandemic.

[...]

The disaster killed 20 people in Hitoyoshi City. The emperor spoke to a man whose home there was destroyed. He told the man he'd had a hard time, and asked how he's doing now. The man said he has recovered physically, but that his destroyed home remains untouched.

The couple asked about the man's wife, who is ill and hospitalized. The empress wished them well.

Later, the emperor told a man supporting volunteer activities in Yatsushiro City, "You must have had many tough experiences."

The man said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, only volunteers in the prefecture were accepted, and that it was also necessary to take steps to prevent heatstroke.

The empress said the pandemic is making things harder, and asked him to take good care of himself.
 
Imperial couple may make online visit to Tohoku | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are planning to make online visits to three prefectures hit hard by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Sources told NHK that the couple is making arrangements to meet people in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures via video link later this month and next month.

The Emperor and Empress are expected to talk with Fukushima Governor Uchibori Masao next week and be briefed on the current situation of some hard-hit areas.

The couple is also expected to speak to people in the towns of Okuma and Futaba. The towns are home to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which suffered meltdowns due to the quake and tsunami.

[...]
Jiji reports the Imperial couple will make the online visit to Fukushima on February 16. They will attend the government sponsored 10th anniversary memorial ceremony on March 11.

Imperial couple planning to meet with 2011 disaster survivors online - Kyodo News
 
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On February 12th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the virtual meeting of former members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation (UNSGAB). As crown prince, Emperor Naruhito was honorary president from 2007 to 2015 while King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands was chairman from 2006 to 2013.

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Imperial couple join online water conference | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...]

The Emperor delivered a speech in English. Imperial household officials say he called for global solidarity to resolve water-related issues.

Participants from more than 10 countries listened to lectures and held discussions on water hygiene and the outlook for securing a safe, clean supply around the world.

The Emperor is known for his studies on water. Officials say he eagerly took notes during the conference, which lasted more than two hours.
 
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Moving has begun for Emperor Naruhito's family. Items from Akasaka Imperial residence's warehouse were moved on February 12, such as materials related to local visits and gifts from foreign heads of state. Renovation of the Imperial residence is expected to be complete by end of March. Emperor Naruhito's family will be able to move after April. The family will temporarily stay at an Imperial villa while personal items are moved.

Source: Yomiuri

Imperial couple suspends online meeting with 2011 disaster survivors - Kyodo News
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have suspended a plan to meet with survivors of the 2011 quake-tsunami disaster online following Saturday's powerful earthquake, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.

[...]

The imperial couple suspended the event in consideration of damage inflicted by the recent quake, wishing authorities to concentrate on recovery activities, according to the agency, which has not determined a new schedule for the event yet.

The magnitude 7.3 temblor that struck at 11:07 p.m. Saturday, registering upper 6 on Japan's seismic intensity scale of 7 in parts of Fukushima and Miyagi, injured more than 150 people and cut power and water in some areas of the country.

[...]
 
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