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

[Ista]

The Asahi Shimbun translation gave the most detail on the visit to the Akita shelter that I've read: definitely someone in the IHA setting up lots of lovely opportunities for Masako to shine! That's a wonderful change from coverage of her during Akihito's reign, but also reflects the difference between being the Empress and being Crown Princess I'm guessing.

It's interesting also that both Naruhito and Masako are making little comments or gestures in a way that is clearly set up to make them relatable: the Emperor showing a photo which he just happened to have in his pocket, and the Empress's comment about their dog also doing "volunteer" work. It would be fascinating to know more about the current internal structure of the IHA, and how some of these decisions are being made. There has clearly been a change in philosophy there.

 

[iceflower]

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited a centre for aged jobseekers in Tokyo today, September 24:


** ap gallery **

 

[Prisma]

The visit is connected to Respect for the Aged Day (September 16). Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Meguro Ward's Senior Citizen's Center, where they observed an exercise class, and Silver Human Resources Center where workers repaired clothes.

 

[Prisma]

On September 28th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako traveled to Ibaraki Prefecture for the opening ceremony of the 74th National Sports Festival. They took the Imperial train for the first time. In the afternoon, the couple attended the opening ceremony at Kasamatsu Stadium in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki.

Sankei, Mainichi, AP Images, Asahi galleries

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ETA: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako also attended a reception for the National Sports Festival at a hotel in Mito, Ibaraki in the evening. Japan's surprise win against Ireland at the Rugby World Cup was announced during the reception.

Photo: https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000165505.html

 

[Prisma]

On September 29th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako traveled to Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture for the National Sports Festival's table tennis competition. They also visited popular resort Kokumin-shukusha Unomisaki, a site for cormorant capture (the birds are used for traditional fishing), and the Forestry Research Institute's tree breeding center.

Mainichi, Asahi, AP Images

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[Prisma]

On October 1st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 60th Convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad at Constitution Memorial Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. About 200 people from 19 countries attended this year.

AP Images, Getty Images
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/191001/lif1910010047-p1.jpg

Convention of Japanese descendants in Tokyo | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...] The Emperor said in an address that he hopes exchange among people of Japanese descent all over the world will spread and strengthen ties between their societies and Japan.

[...] Representing participants from abroad, Renato Ishikawa, who lives in Brazil, said he hopes the convention will help people of Japanese descent find ways to contribute to the peaceful international community.

ETA: more Ibaraki Prefecture photos/video

https://twitter.com/x/status/1177888300352172032

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh048kJKGwA

 

[Prisma]

On September 10th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met representatives of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) and Japanese Society Volunteers at Akasaka Imperial Palace.

Photo: Imperial Household Agency

On October 2nd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donated to Chiba Prefecture and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Typhoon No. 15 disaster relief. They also donated to Saga Prefecture which suffered heavy rain damage in August.

Source: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On October 7th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 70th anniversary of the enforcement of the National Rehabilitation System at Tokyo International Forum. The system helps offenders and delinquents recover, preventing isolation and recidivism. Over 4000 people attended the event.

Getty Images

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/191007/lif1910070025-p1.jpg
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https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0032800505.jpg

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are greatly saddened by the devastation of Typhoon No. 19 and expressed condolences to the victims. They also hope the affected areas will recover as soon as possible.

On October 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako rehearsed the enthronement ceremony. They entered the Imperial Palace at 2pm and returned to Akasaka Imperial Palace around 7:30pm. The IHA reported they practiced with the same traditional clothes for the actual ceremony. [Jiji]

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/191015/lif1910150015-p1.jpg

 

[Ista]

That is a long and probably exhausting rehearsal. I'm sure that all the preparation will be worth it, however.

It's so sad to see the photos of the devastation from the typhoon. I wonder if any visits are planned to the affected parts of the city by the Emperor and Empress?

 

[Prisma]

Japan Emperor, Empress to Visit Areas Hit by Typhoon Hagibis | Nippon.com

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are considering a trip late next month to Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures that were hit hard by Typhoon Hagibis and subsequent heavy rain, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday. [...]

Kyodo reports December 26 is being considered with specific destinations to be determined in consultation with both prefectures.

On November 19th, ceremonial carriage No. 2 and horses were transported to Mie Prefecture ahead of the Imperial couple's November 21-23 visit to report the enthronement and Daijosai at Ise Grand Shrine.

 

[Prisma]

On November 21st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako departed from Tokyo Station to travel to Ujiyamada station in Ise, Mie Prefecture via Nagoya Station.

They will report the Enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies have been completed and worship at Ise Grand Shrine. The couple will visit the Outer Shrine (Gekū) on the 22nd and the Inner Shrine (Naikū) on the 23rd.

Getty Images

Japanese emperor leaves for Ise shrine to mark end of enthronement rites - Kyodo News

The emperor and empress are making the journey with the sword and jewels among the three imperial regalia, which also include the mirror. The emperor inherited them upon succession.

At Ise Jingu, the two will offer prayers at the Geku outer shrine dedicated to Toyouke no Omikami, the goddess of food, clothing, and housing, on Friday morning and the Naiku inner shrine dedicated to the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu, the mythical ancestress of the imperial family, on Saturday morning.

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https://www.sankei.com/images/news/191121/lif1911210042-p1.jpg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WENJoSL344
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad5kIr1_ZqY

 

[Prisma]

On November 22nd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako worshipped at Ise Jingu's outer shrine (Geku) dedicated to Toyouke, the goddess of clothing, food, and housing. They were driven closer to Geku, changed into traditional clothes, and then Emperor Naruhito rode in a carriage and Empress Masako was driven to Geku. Sayako Kuroda, Supreme Priestess, also attended the rituals.

Getty Images, Mainichi, Asahi

Japan's emperor, empress visit Ise shrine after enthronement ceremonies - Kyodo News (includes photos)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1197725560476196865

https://twitter.com/x/status/1197690528835309568

 

[Prisma]

On November 23rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Ise Jingu's Inner Shrine (Naiku) which enshrines the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Omikami. They worshipped and reported the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies have been completed. Sayako Kuroda also attended but I can't find any photos.

Getty Images, Mainichi, Asahi

https://twitter.com/x/status/1198093246011854848

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The Imperial couple on their way back to Tokyo.

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[Prisma]

On November 26th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began a 3-day visit to Nara and Kyoto Prefectures. They will report the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies at the mausoleums of Emperors Jimmu, Komei, and Meiji and host a tea party at Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Photos: AP Images, Getty Images, Mainichi

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The crowds and media waiting for the Imperial couple.

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Over 2000 people welcomed the couple with lanterns at their hotel in Nara.
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[Prisma]

On November 27th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako worshipped and reported the enthronement and Daijosai at Emperor Jimmu's mausoleum in Kashihara, Nara.

The couple visited Emperor Kōmei's mausoleum in Higashiyama, Kyoto in the afternoon.

Photos: Getty Images, Asahi, Mainichi

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Imperial pair cap throne rites with visit to Jinmu’s tomb: The Asahi Shimbun

The couple arrived shortly after 10 a.m. at the burial site of Jinmu, whom the imperial family considers Japan's first emperor, in Kashihara to conduct the Shinetsu-no-gi ceremony.

Naruhito wore a morning jacket and Masako was in a long dress. They made their way separately to the tomb and made an offering of a sacred tree branch.

The couple was expected to visit Kyoto to conduct the same ritual at the tomb of Emperor Komei in the afternoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9bbZZNQZU
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[Prisma]

On November 28th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako worshipped and reported the enthronement and Daijosai at Emperor Meiji's mausoleum in Fushimi, Kyoto.

In the afternoon, they attended a tea party at Kyoto Imperial Palace. Some 600 guests from western Japan included musician Takanori Nishikawa who was interviewed by FNN afterward.

The Imperial couple returned to Tokyo in the evening.

Getty Images, AP Images, Mainichi

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[Prisma]

On December 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho in Hachiōji, Tokyo. The couple worshipped and reported the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies have been completed.

Japan's emperor, empress complete visits to imperial mausoleums - Kyodo News

Photos: Mainichi, AP Images

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[Tatiana Maria]

..............

 

[Prisma]

On December 4th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako performed morning and afternoon ceremonies at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries, finishing all succession rituals. They reported the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies have been completed.

Japanese Emperor, Empress Finish Enthronement-Related Ceremonies | Nippon.com

[...]

In the morning, the couple performed the "Shinetsu-no-Gi" ceremony at the three sanctuaries of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in which they reported the completion of a series of "Sokui-no-Rei" enthronement-related events and the "Daijosai" grand thanksgiving ceremony.

They attended the "Mikagura-no-Gi" ceremony at the Kashikodokoro Imperial sanctuary in the afternoon.

[...]

Emperor, Empress complete enthronement ceremonies | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...] The Emperor, dressed in a traditional robe, paid his respects at the Kashikodokoro sanctuary in the Imperial Palace compound on Wednesday. The sanctuary enshrines Amaterasu-omikami, the goddess of the sun.

[...]

He conveyed to Amaterasu-omikami that all ceremonies have been completed.

The Empress, dressed in ceremonial kimono, also paid her respects inside the sanctuary.

Six members of the Imperial family, including Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, paid respects in front of the sanctuary. Then, the prime minister and Cabinet members, the heads of both chambers of the Diet and the chief justice of the Supreme Court followed suit. [...]

TV Tokyo's 47+ minute video (no audio) of the "Mikagura-no-Gi" ceremony at Kashikodokoro in the afternoon.
3:33 : Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and Princesses Mako, Kako, Hisako, and Tsuguko arrive
5:40 : Emperor Naruhito's procession to Kashikodokoro
13:20 : Empress Masako's procession to Kashikodokoro
18:35 : Akishino and Takamado members bow before Kashikodokoro, followed by members of government

 

[Prisma]

On December 18th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended a charity screening of "In This Corner (and Other Corners) of the World" at Nissho Hall in Minato, Tokyo. The event supports the Japanese Red Cross Society Hiroshima Prefecture. The family were seated with director Sunao Katabuchi and actress Rena Nōnen (stage name "Non").

The film is an extended cut of the hit 2016 animated film "In This Corner of the World" about a young woman in 1930s-1940s in Hiroshima and Kure.

Photos: Asahi, AP Images, Getty Images
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[Ista]

The family is color-coordinated, so sweet! It's nice to see that Masako was able to attend, and they all look very happy and relaxed.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

A nice surprise indeed. Perhaps the supportive companionship of her daughter helped the empress to attend?

On November 26th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began a 3-day visit to Nara and Kyoto Prefectures. They will report the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies at the mausoleums of Emperors Jimmu, Komei, and Meiji and host a tea party at Kyoto Imperial Palace.

On December 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho in Hachiōji, Tokyo. The couple worshipped and reported the enthronement and Daijosai ceremonies have been completed.

I'm curious as to why Emperor Komei was included. The inclusion of all modern emperors as well as the imperial family's legendary patriarch is logical, but why include the last emperor who reigned during the shogunate (but no other historical emperors)?

 

[Prisma]

A nice surprise indeed. Perhaps the supportive companionship of her daughter helped the empress to attend?

I'm curious as to why Emperor Komei was included. The inclusion of all modern emperors as well as the imperial family's legendary patriarch is logical, but why include the last emperor who reigned during the shogunate (but no other historical emperors)?

I agree. Aiko's support helps Masako. Also, Masako's attendance is probably decided late so it's not on the schedule given to press.

Only Emperor Naruhito is scheduled to meet the President and First Lady of Uzbekistan on December 20 but Sankei's December 18 Their Majesties' schedule reports both Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received a briefing from the ambassador of Uzbekistan so there's a good chance the empress may attend as well.

According to the Ceremonies and Rites related to the Accession to the Throne (Schedule) PDF : the new emperor and empress report the enthronement and Daijosai at the mausoleums of Emperor Jimmu + 4 preceding emperors (Komei, Meiji, Taisho, Showa).

If Naruhito had succeeded on the death of his father instead of abdication, he would have visited the mausoleums Emperor Jimmu + Emperors Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei.

 

[Prisma]

On December 20th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva of Uzbekistan at the Imperial Palace.

They hosted a luncheon, accompanied by Imperial family members, for the Presidential couple. So far, I've spotted Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Mako, Princess Kako, Princess Nobuko, and Princess Hisako at the luncheon.

AP Images

https://twitter.com/x/status/1207866765528555521

Princess Nobuko:
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UzA - President of Uzbekistan meets with the Emperor of Japan

 

[Prisma]

On December 19th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donated to 12 prefectures severely damaged by Typhoon No. 19 (Typhoon Hagibis) : Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano and Shizuoka.

Source: Sankei


Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture and Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture on December 26 to meet Typhoon 19 victims, police, fire departments, SDF, relief workers, and volunteers. They will fly to Sendai and transfer to a SDF (Self-Defense Force) helicopter to arrive at Marumori and Motomiya.

A day trip is planned to minimize the burden on the local areas. The schedule may change depending on weather. Flooding and landslides caused 11 deaths or missing persons in Marumori; 7 people were killed in Motomiya.

Sources: Sankei, Jiji

 

[Tatiana Maria]

On December 19th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donated to 12 prefectures severely damaged by Typhoon No. 19 (Typhoon Hagibis) : Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Nagano and Shizuoka.

Source: Sankei


Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture and Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture on December 26 to meet Typhoon 19 victims, police, fire departments, SDF, relief workers, and volunteers. They will fly to Sendai and transfer to a SDF (Self-Defense Force) helicopter to arrive at Marumori and Motomiya.

A day trip is planned to minimize the burden on the local areas. The schedule may change depending on weather. Flooding and landslides caused 11 deaths or missing persons in Marumori; 7 people were killed in Motomiya.

Sources: Sankei, Jiji

I am curious to see whether the press coverage will evaluate the couple's performance in comparison to that of the former reigning couple on their visits to disaster areas, since the Emperor Emeritus made highly visible visits to victims of natural disasters a touchstone of his reign.

 

[Prisma]

On December 26th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited typhoon-hit Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture and Motomiya, Fukushima Prefecture. They arrived at Sendai airport before 11am.

AP Images, Getty Images, Asahi, Asahi 2, Asahi 3, Mainichi

https://twitter.com/x/status/1210013718462918656

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Emperor, Empress visiting typhoon-hit area | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Japan emperor, empress encourage victims in typhoon-hit areas of northeast - Kyodo News

[...] The couple visited Marumori in Miyagi Prefecture as well as Motomiya in Fukushima Prefecture to see areas that were inundated as Typhoon Hagibis passed. The typhoon left more than 90 people dead, including a total 17 in the two municipalities.

[...]

"You must have had a hard time. I am glad you were safe," the emperor told Takano. "I hope your life will be more settled," the empress told him.

The couple then went to Motomiya to view an area where an embankment along the Adatara River had collapsed and met with victims at a welfare facility. [...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEOp5inr2p0

 

[iceflower]

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended a charity screening of "Cats" in Tokyo today, January 20:


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[Ista]

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended a charity screening of "Cats" in Tokyo today, January 20:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

Poor them.