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

[Prisma]

The charity "Cats" screening benefits social welfare corporation Akeno Hoshikai which subsidizes elderly facilities. Before the movie, the family met director Tom Hooper, ballet dancer-actress Francesca Hayward, and actress Wakana Aoi. [Asahi]

ETA: former Mikasa Princess Yasuko and her husband Tadateru Konoe also attended.
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[iceflower]

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the National Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, today, January 22:



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** ap gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Thanks! It was the 40th anniversary ceremony of the National Rehabilitation Center for Disabled People and the National Occupational Rehabilitation Center. Both centers were established in 1979 to provide comprehensive services from medical care to vocational training. [Yomiuri]

Their visit to the employment support room is connected to December's Week of Persons with Disabilities. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko normally visited a facility for disabled people during the Week of Persons with Disabilities. However, December was busy for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako so a visit was scheduled for January this time. [Sankei]

news24.jp reports the center provided 29 items such as rice, tea, and taro offerings for the Daijosai.

Asahi gallery

ETA: someone got a really nice car photo

https://twitter.com/x/status/1219880992912990208

 

[iceflower]

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met with laureates of the Agriculture and Fishery Festival Awards at the Imperial Palace on January 24:



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[Ista]

I'm so glad that Masako is able to do more and more of these routine engagements.

The other thing that caught my eye, which I have never noticed before, is the arrangement of the flooring, which offers a separate area for the Imperial couple, and neatly clues in the guests as to where they should stand , and how closely they may approach. It's subtle but extremely useful!

 

[Prisma]

On January 25th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended Day 14 of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Sumida, Tokyo.

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi, AP Images, Getty Images

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Imperial family watch sumo | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...] The Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, Hakkaku, and stable masters welcomed them when they arrived at around 5 p.m.

[...]

Hakkaku quoted the Imperial couple as saying there were many good bouts and that the wrestlers' clashes were intense.

He said Princess Aiko asked about the height of the ring.

Emperor, empress watch sumo live for 1st time after enthronement - Kyodo News

[...]

The emperor and empress watched the final nine bouts at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on the penultimate day of the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. The last time the couple went to sumo matches was 2017 when they were crown prince and crown princess.

It was the third time to watch live sumo matches, and the first in 13 years, for the 18-year-old princess.

[...]

Princess Aiko's experience of watching sumo live dates back to September 2006 and September 2007. [...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJg8o5bUb_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oh6YzVw10c

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Emperor, empress watch sumo live for 1st time after enthronement - Kyodo News

The story of Princess Aiko memorizing win-loss records when she was only around 6 years old is very cute.

 

[Prisma]

On February 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the "Water and Culture" International Symposium - "Thinking about Regional Development from the Ruins of Water" held at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Minato, Tokyo.

Getty Images, AP Images

 

[Prisma]

On February 10th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the special exhibition commemorating His Majesty's Enthronement "Entering the New Reign of Reiwa Era" at Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections).

Photos: Mainichi, AP Images

Special Exhibition, in Commemoration of His Majesty's Enthronement - Entering the New Reign of Reiwa Era - Imperial Household Agency

 

[Prisma]

On February 17th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received the recipients of the 69th Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare independence award for people with disabilities and medalists from the 2019 Winter Deaflympics. About 70 people attended the audience at the Imperial Palace.

Photos: Asahi, AP Images

 

[Prisma]

On February 12th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received winners of the 32nd National Personnel President's Award at Akasaka Imperial Palace.

Photos: jinji.go.jp

 

[Prisma]

On April 10th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by Shigeru Omi on coronavirus and the state of emergency declared for Tokyo and 6 prefectures.

Omi is head of Japan Community Healthcare Organization and a member of the government panel on the outbreak. He briefed the couple for over an hour at Akasaka Imperial residence.

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1248565345935396866

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Naruhito’s Gratitude for Frontline Pandemic Responders | Nippon.com

On April 10, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met with the vice-chair of the government’s expert panel on the response to COVID-19, Dr. Omi Shigeru. The meeting was scheduled to last for 40 minutes, starting at 5:30 pm, but ended up continuing until 7:00.

At the outset of the meeting, the emperor expressed his appreciation to Omi and all the other medical staff at the frontlines of the response to the epidemic: “I want to convey my deepest respect and appreciation for your tireless efforts to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak as vice chair of the government’s expert panel, and for working day and night together with many other people involved in providing healthcare and other required services.”

[...]

During the meeting with the imperial couple, recalls Omi, the emperor repeated several times that this is “a moment for everyone to come together as one.”

[...]

Omi notes: “His Majesty clearly conveyed his concern about the inconveniences that people are facing now in their daily life, as well as his hope that everyone will be able to overcome these challenges. He also expressed sympathy for the frontline medical workers who are working so hard every day in this stressful situation. He very clearly conveyed to me this feeling of empathy he has for those workers and his hope that they can maintain their own health to get through this crisis.” [...]

 

[Prisma]

On April 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on coronavirus by Dr. Yasuhiro Suzuki from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at Akasaka Imperial Residence.
Source: Sankei


On April 28th, Kazumasa Iwata, President of Japan Center of Economic Research, briefed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for about an hour and 15 minutes on COVID-19's impact on domestic and international economies. Emperor Naruhito expressed concern about the scale of the negative impact; Empress Masako worried about the infection in emerging countries, such as Asia and Africa.
Source: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

Imperial couple dispirited at social distancing in time of crisis: The Asahi Shimbun

Emperor Naruhito marked the first anniversary of his enthronement on May 1, distressed that restrictions on his activities due to the new coronavirus pandemic mean that he and Empress Masako are unable to engage directly with the public.

The couple cherish their opportunities to meet face-to-face with members of the public, a style of engagement that was trail-blazed by his parents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.

[...]

However, all their outdoor public duties, events and ceremonies have been canceled or postponed due to the health crisis.

A close aide said the couple has expressed deep concern about the spread of the virus and their hopes that it will soon be brought under control.

[...]

Japan emperor upholds tradition, searches for role in 1st yr of reign - Kyodo

[...] The past year has been full of celebrations and ceremonies associated with his enthronement, which marked the start of the new Reiwa imperial era, although in recent months the imperial couple have been forced to stay out of the public eye due to the new coronavirus epidemic.

[...]

The series of events also highlighted the remarkable recovery of the empress, 56, who has long suffered from stress-related illness, as she greeted guests including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.

"She has completed a number of rites and events in the past year and the confidence that came with them has enabled her to perform the next," said a close aide.

[...]

After all the enthronement rites were completed in December, the emperor thanked people for their support, saying at a press conference ahead of his 60th birthday on Feb. 23, "One of the most memorable moments in the last 10 months was being given heartfelt congratulations by many people."

He also said he would like to explore new activities in responding to social changes.

[...]

The imperial couple have been receiving updates on the virus crisis from medical experts, including a private lecture at the palace on April 10 by Shigeru Omi, a member of a government panel discussing the response to the outbreak.

"I sincerely hope that people will further come together and join their forces in overcoming the difficult situation," the emperor said before the lecture, a speech disclosed by the Imperial Household Agency in a rare move. An aide to the emperor said it was intended as a message to the public.

[...]

Shingo Haketa, a former chief of the Imperial Household Agency, said the past year has probably been "a year of searching by (the emperor) for how a symbol (of the state) should be, based on the needs of the times and his own thoughts."

"It is a never-ending challenge to find what role a symbolic emperor should play and what specifically he should do in the changing times," Haketa said.

Emperor Naruhito's remarks from the April 10 lecture - Imperial Household Agency

Google translation

 

[Ista]

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are certainly facing a challenging beginning to the reign. It will be interesting to see what kind of contact with the public will be permitted going forward once the initial outbreak of COVID-19 is contained. That is a challenge all monarchies are going to face, and one which will probably make things like the garden parties impossible for quite some time to come.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I find the comments from Shingo Haketa in the Kyodo article a little cryptic:

Shingo Haketa, a former chief of the Imperial Household Agency, said the past year has probably been "a year of searching by (the emperor) for how a symbol (of the state) should be, based on the needs of the times and his own thoughts."

"It is a never-ending challenge to find what role a symbolic emperor should play and what specifically he should do in the changing times," Haketa said.

I wonder if he has specific recent or future changes in mind (although being the former chief, I don't know how far his knowledge or influence extend).

 

[Prisma]

On May 20th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by Japanese Red Cross Society President Yoshiharu Otsuka and Vice President Hiroki Tomita at Akasaka Imperial residence.

Before the ~90 minute meeting, the emperor and empress expressed gratitude for medical workers and concern for their well-being amid supply shortages, prejudice, and physical and mental stress.

This is the Imperial couple's 4th briefing on the coronavirus pandemic.

Emperor, Empress Express Gratitude to Medical Workers | Nippon.com

... According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor said at the outset of the meeting, "I express my feelings of deep respect and gratitude" for efforts by many medical workers.

"I hope they will pay close attention to their own health so they can continue to work," he said while mentioning medical goods supply shortages and "thoughtless prejudice" against medical workers...

Photos/video: Asahi, Sankei, NHK, Nikkei

 

[Prisma]

Empress Masako Attends to Sericulture Tradition; Princess Aiko Begins School Year Online | JAPAN Forward

At the Akasaka Imperial Residence on May 14, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received a lecture by Hiromitsu Shimada, the Cabinet Office’s director general for policy planning, on Japan’s issue with child poverty. [...]

On May 27th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on disaster volunteers by the Cabinet Office's Policy Director Ichirō Aoyagi at Akasaka Imperial residence.
Source: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On June 2nd, Empress Masako visited the Imperial Palace's Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery for sericulture work. She was accompanied by Emperor Naruhito and the couple transferred about 2000 silkworms to cocooning frames called "Mabushi".

Photos: Getty Images
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On June 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by 3 public health center officials for an hour at Akasaka Imperial residence. [NHK, Sankei]
- Ayumi Seiko, Vice Chair of National Health Center Directors Association in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo
- Akane Kasai, Minamitama Public Health Center in Tokyo

I haven't found who the 3rd person is yet.

Photos:
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[Prisma]

On June 10th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the former Fukiage Sento Imperial Palace in the afternoon. They inspected the renovation progress and met staff. Work was suspended during the coronavirus state of emergency and resumed on May 26. The Emperor's family should move in by next March and the residence will be renamed the Imperial Residence.

Photos: AP Images

 

[Prisma]

On June 12th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako received a lecture about COVID-19's impact on childcare at Akasaka Imperial Residence. 2 childcare officials briefed Their Majesties on single-parent challenges, child abuse, infection risk at schools and childcare facilities, and social demands.

Yumiko Watanabe, Director of the Children and Family Division of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Yasuo Otani, President of Social Welfare Corporation Japan Child Care Association

Photos: Asahi, Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On June 23rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by 4 officials on caregivers and nursing homes during COVID-19 at Akasaka Imperial Residence.

- Kazuhiro Oshima, Senior Director at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Akira Hiraishi, Chairman of the National Council of Elderly Welfare Facilities
- Kentaro Higashi, Chairman of Japan Association of Geriatric Health Services Facilities
- Shigeko Kawasaki, Chairman of Japan Dementia Group Home Association

Photos: Asahi, Sankei, Sankei 2

 

[Prisma]

On July 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on COVID-19's impact on people with disabilities by 3 representatives from welfare facilities at Akasaka Imperial residence. Their Majesties expressed concerns about people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, visit restrictions, and mental health. They were also impressed by social contributions such as making cloth masks.

- Yasuhiro Hashimoto, Director, Disability Health and Welfare Department at Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Hirochika Hino, President, National Council of Social Welfare for the Disabled
- Hiroshi Inoue, Chairman, Japan Intellectual Disability Welfare Association

Photos/video: Sankei, NHK, Jiji, news24.jp

ETA: NHK ponders public service amid the pandemic
- most National ceremonies have been postponed for a year or cancelled such as the National Tree Planting and National Sports Festival.
- 2020 National Sea Enrichment Festival in Miyagi Prefecture remains unclear. Possible postponement or significantly reduced. One option that's being considered is a day trip on September 27 with limited speeches, less participants, and no local visits. It's also an opportunity to inspect the recovery progress from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
- Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun began attending annual events after WWII and added local visits during these trips.
- An associate professor at Nagoya University studying the symbolic Emperor role says the system needs to adapt now that opportunities to meet the people and local visits have disappeared.

 

[Prisma]

On July 6th, the IHA released a condolence message from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, expressing their sadness and sympathies to victims and evacuees of heavy rain in southern Kyushu such as Kumamoto Prefecture.
Source: Sankei

On July 7th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed by ministry officials about the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on employment and government measures to alleviate the situation.

- Yoji Kobayashi, Director of Employment Security at Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Yumiko Jouzuka, Director-General for Human Resources Development at Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Source: Sankei

The National Sea-Enrichment Festival, scheduled for September 26-27 in Miyagi Prefecture, is officially postponed to next year. This means all 4 major events attended annually by the Emperor are cancelled this year.
Source: Yomiuri

 

[Tatiana Maria]

On July 3rd, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on COVID-19's impact on people with disabilities by 3 representatives from welfare facilities at Akasaka Imperial residence. Their Majesties expressed concerns about people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, visit restrictions, and mental health. They were also impressed by social contributions such as making cloth masks.

- Yasuhiro Hashimoto, Director, Disability Health and Welfare Department at Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Hirochika Hino, President, National Council of Social Welfare for the Disabled
- Hiroshi Inoue, Chairman, Japan Intellectual Disability Welfare Association

I'm glad the imperial couple were briefed on an important but often neglected aspect of the pandemic.

ETA: NHK ponders public service amid the pandemic
- most National ceremonies have been postponed for a year or cancelled such as the National Tree Planting and National Sports Festival.
- 2020 National Sea Enrichment Festival in Miyagi Prefecture remains unclear. Possible postponement or significantly reduced. One option that's being considered is a day trip on September 27 with limited speeches, less participants, and no local visits. It's also an opportunity to inspect the recovery progress from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
- Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun began attending annual events after WWII and added local visits during these trips.
- An associate professor at Nagoya University studying the symbolic Emperor role says the system needs to adapt now that opportunities to meet the people and local visits have disappeared.

It seem more and more likely now that the traditionalists who call for the imperial family to distance themselves from the populace and trim down their "excess" public meetings will be getting their wish... I personally agree with the professor.

 

[Prisma]

On July 16th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on COVID-19's impact on people living in poverty and support measures.

- Taniuchi Shigeru, Director of Social Affairs & Support Bureau at Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Tomoshi Okuda, Chairman of NPO Houboku (supporting the poor and homeless for over 30 years)

Photos: Asahi
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Emperor, Empress briefed on support for the needy | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...] On Thursday, they met with a senior health ministry official and a representative of a Fukuoka Prefecture-based non-profit organization for nearly 90 minutes.

The experts explained that many non-regular workers living in dormitories are facing the risk of losing their job and home at the same time.

The Emperor reportedly expressed sympathy for their hardship.

The Empress is said to have paid particular attention to data indicating that the ratio of socially-isolated people in Japan is five times higher than that of the United States.

[...]

The Imperial couple is said to have offered words of encouragement to wrap up the briefing, which lasted much longer than scheduled.

 

[Prisma]

Screenshots from https://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye4030679.htm (JNN)

 

[Prisma]

On July 21st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were briefed on issues and support measures for children living in poverty amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

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Imperial couple briefed on child poverty | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...] The couple met on Tuesday with senior officials of the Cabinet Office and the head of KIDSDOOR, a non-profit organization that helps poor children. The briefing lasted for about 90 minutes.

The couple reportedly expressed concern, when they were told that about 40 percent of the activities aimed at providing needy children with meals had been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

When they were told that the introduction of online classes helped familiarize children with the Internet, the Emperor reportedly expressed hope that the classes would make the children's futures brighter.

[...]

KIDSDOOR leader Watanabe Yumiko says she wants to convey the Emperor and Empress' feelings of support to the children.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

It looks as if these briefings are being employed to spotlight groups of people who are especially vulnerable to the economic and social disruptions caused by the virus.

The Empress is said to have paid particular attention to data indicating that the ratio of socially-isolated people in Japan is five times higher than that of the United States.

That sounds dire. Is there any role in the imperial family might participate in improving this situation? I wonder whether the Empress "paid particular attention" because of her own experiences with adjustment disorder and perhaps having had feelings of isolation in her own life.