Emperor Naruhito Current Events Part 1: May 2019 -


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On November 13th, Emperor Naruhito attended appointment ceremonies of 26 Vice-Ministers at the Imperial Palace.


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On November 14th, Emperor Naruhito attended the opening ceremony of the 215th special Diet session at the National Diet Building's House of Councillors in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The special session closed same day, lasted 4 days (November 11-14).

Photos: Getty Images, FNN

 
On November 29th, Emperor Naruhito attended the 75th Anniversary of the Municipal Fire Department at Nissho Hall in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: Getty Images, AP Images


 
On December 2nd, Emperor Naruhito privately visited the special exhibition "Haniwa: Tomb Sculptures of Japan" at Tokyo National Museum in Taito, Tokyo.

The exhibition features 120 Haniwa figures collected across Japan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the designation of a 6th century haniwa "Warrior in Keikō Armor" as a national treasure. The "Warrior in Keikō Armor" was discovered in Gunma Prefecture.

Photo: NTV
 
On January 24th, Emperor Naruhito attended the opening ceremony of the 217th ordinary Diet session at the National Diet Building's House of Councillors in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Photos: Getty Images

Speech: 主な式典におけるおことば(令和7年):天皇陛下のおことば - 宮内庁



 
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On February 7th, Emperor Naruhito met President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia at the Imperial residence for about 25 minutes. His Majesty expressed gratitude again for the President's condolence message sent following the Noto earthquake last year and believes the visit is "very meaningful in strengthening bilateral relations." They also discussed Zambia's recent drought and cholera outbreak.

Photos: Asahi, FNN


President of the Republic of Zambia to Visit Japan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
 
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After a pandemic hiatus, the banquet will return for Emperor Naruhito's birthday celebrations on February 23. However, the number of attendees will be significantly reduced to prevent infection.

Prince Hisahito will not attend birthday celebrations because he has not undergone coming-of-age rites. He will visit the Imperial residence to greet His Majesty in the afternoon.

Source: FNN
 
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Emperor Naruhito celebrated his 65th birthday. Empress Masako is also in the pictures.

 
Emperor Naruhito turns 65 on February 23.

Photos and video with Empress Masako were taken on February 13 at the Imperial residence. He attended a press conference on February 20, transcript: 天皇陛下お誕生日に際し(令和7年) - 宮内庁

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi, FNN

Birthday video: https://www.gov-online.go.jp/imperial_family_channel/202502/video-294003.html


Press conference

General public greetings

More content for Emperor Naruhito's 65th birthday:

General Public Greetings, "Enkai no Gi" banquet : Asahi, Mainichi, FNN, AP Images, Getty Images

About 120 people attended the scaled-down banquet. Mikasa (except Nobuko) and Takamado princesses attended (yay!)

No tea reception for diplomatic corps; it was canceled to prevent infection.






[...] The emperor was also asked about scathing online posts about imperial family members.

Cautioning that he was speaking in general terms, Naruhito said, “It is necessary to always keep in mind that when expressing opinions about someone else, one could at times hurt that person’s heart and position.” [...]

Naruhito said he “feels very happy to gain a glimpse of (Aiko) growing as a member of society one step at a time.”

[...]

Naruhito said he expects his nephew, second in line to the throne, to “lead a productive student life.”
 
On the morning of March 5th, Emperor Naruhito attended the International Symposium on Water and Disaster for Cooperation and Partnerships at Mita Kaigisho in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: FNN, Getty Images

In the afternoon, he attended an audience for officials awarded for 30 years of service at correctional facilities at the Imperial Palace's Shunju-no-Ma (Grand Hall). He met 60 recipients and their families.

Photos: Sankei, 47news.jp

 
On March 15th, Emperor Naruhito privately attended the Japanese Alpine Club's "Overseas Mountain Climbing Report Session" at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Koto, Tokyo. He attended for 4 hours, listening to reports such as mountaineering in Canada and an unclimbed peak in Nepal. His Majesty has been a club member since 1987 and has frequently attended events.

Sources: FNN, NTV

 
On March 27th, Emperor Naruhito visited the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo around 10am to bid farewell to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, concluding the state visit. They met for about 20 minutes. First Lady Rosângela da Silva had already departed Japan for official business, according to Jiji.

Photos: Getty Images, FNN



 
On April 14th, Emperor Naruhito hosted a tea reception for National Diet members, including Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, at the Imperial Palace’s Houmei-Den (State Banquet Hall). Before the reception, he met guests at the Shunju-no-Ma (Grand Hall).

This is the first tea reception for members of the Diet since the accession due to the pandemic.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi, FNN, AP Images

In a speech at the Shunju-no-Ma hall, the Emperor expressed hope that the lawmakers will respond to the trust of the people and do their best for the country, society and people.




On April 15th, Emperor Naruhito met President Serdar Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan at the Imperial residence for about 25 minutes. President Berdimuhamedow visited Japan for Turkmenistan's National Day at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Photos: Asahi, FNN



Later, Emperor Naruhito planted rice next to the Biology Research Institute at the Imperial Palace. He sowed about 720 seeds of Nihon Masari (non-glutinous rice) and Mangetsumochi (glutinous rice).

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi

 
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On May 9th, Emperor Naruhito attended spring Grand Cordon conferment ceremonies and audience at the Imperial Palace. 19 people received the Grand Cordon of the Paulownia Flowers or Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun.

Recipients included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tadamori Oshima, former Prime Minister Naoto Kan, and IOC President Thomas Bach. Emperor Naruhito gave a congratulatory speech in Japanese and English and met each recipient. Oshima delivered a greeting on behalf of the group.

Photos: Getty Images, AP Images, Mainichi, Asahi



 
Emperor Naruhito hosted a dinner for King Carl Gustaf today, May 15.

King Carl Gustaf is currently in Japan for the Expo 2025.


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Empress Masako attended the dinner and Princess Aiko joined the after dinner conversation on May 15.

Source: NTV

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On May 16th, Emperor Naruhito and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden attended a seminar "Water as Enabler for Climate Action and the Future Society of Our Lives" at the United Nations University (UNU) in Shibuya, Tokyo. The seminar was organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), Embassy of Sweden in Japan, and UNU.

Photos: Mainichi, Getty Images



 
On May 19th, Emperor Naruhito met President Edgars Rinkēvičs of Latvia and President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria at the Imperial residence. The Presidents are visiting Japan for the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

Music and historical preservation were among discussion topics with President Rinkēvičs in the morning. During the afternoon meeting with President Radev, discussion turned to the popularity of Bulgarian yogurt in Japan after Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun ate some at the Bulgarian Pavilion at the 1970 Osaka Expo. Emperor Naruhito shared memories of making Bulgarian yogurt from a starter culture as a child.

Both presidents presented invitations to visit.

Photos: Jiji, Asahi, Asahi2, AP Images



 
Emperor Naruhito received Hungarian President Tamas Szök at the Imperial Palace today, May 21:


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Today, May 22, Emperor Naruhito received Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen, also one of the Presidents visiting the Expo:

** gettyimages gallery **



And in the evening he hosted a dinner for King Willem-Alexander:



 
Emperor Naruhito received King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands at the Imperial Palace.

 
On May 21st, Emperor Naruhito attended the attestation ceremonies of new ministers at the Imperial Palace.

Photos: AP Images

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Empress Masako canceled her appearance at the 75th National Tree Planting Festival in Saitama Prefecture due to fatigue. Emperor Naruhito make the May 24-25 visit alone.

Imperial Household Agency reported Empress Masako's message, "I am sorry and deeply regretful that I am unable to meet those who have prepared and waited for me."

According to aides, she does not have any symptoms such as a cold or fever, but has been tired from recent activities. She consulted with the Emperor before making the decision to cancel. This is the first time Masako has canceled her attendance at a "Four Major Imperial" event.

Sources: NTV, TBS

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I hope she feels better soon.
 
On May 21st, Emperor Naruhito attended the attestation ceremonies of new ministers at the Imperial Palace.

Photos: AP Images

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Empress Masako canceled her appearance at the 75th National Tree Planting Festival in Saitama Prefecture due to fatigue. Emperor Naruhito make the May 24-25 visit alone.

Imperial Household Agency reported Empress Masako's message, "I am sorry and deeply regretful that I am unable to meet those who have prepared and waited for me."

According to aides, she does not have any symptoms such as a cold or fever, but has been tired from recent activities. She consulted with the Emperor before making the decision to cancel. This is the first time Masako has canceled her attendance at a "Four Major Imperial" event.

Sources: NTV, TBS

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I hope she feels better soon.

That must be rather disheartening, but I suppose we must give credit for good judgment to her and her doctors if it is only the first time such a major cancellation has happened. What is the reaction from the general public and media?

Which events are the Four Major Imperial events?
 
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