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Yomiuri Shimbun
15 hours ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Prince Hisahito's Coming-of-Age Ceremony Details Announced
TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The Imperial Household Agency on Tuesday announced the details of the coming-of-age ceremony for Prince Hisahito, son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, on Sept. 6, the 19th birthday of the young prince. It will be the first coming-of-age ceremony for a male Imperial Family member in 40 years since that for Crown Prince Akishino. Prince Hisahito is second in line to the throne, after his father. During the ceremony, to be hosted by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Prince Hisahito will receive a crown from the Emperor's messenger at the Crown Prince's residence on the morning of Sept. 6. Prince Hisahito will then attend the Kakan-no-Gi crown-wearing ritual at the Imperial Palace from 10 a.m., wearing a traditional attire for a minor Imperial Family member. Prince Hisahito will then change into adult attire and move to the palace's three sanctuaries in a ceremonial carriage, where he will offer prayers. In the afternoon, he is scheduled to greet the Emperor and Empress at the palace in a ritual known as Choken-no-Gi. The Cabinet decided Tuesday to grant the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum to Prince Hisahito. He will be awarded the medal from the Emperor on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony. On Sept. 8, Prince Hisahito will visit Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine in Ise, Mie Prefecture, and the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture. A celebratory luncheon will be held in Tokyo on Sept. 10, with participants including the prime minister and other dignitaries.


Japan Forward
21 hours ago
- Health
- Japan Forward
An Imperial Week in Photos: Nasu Retreat, Emperor Emeritus' Health, Crown Prince in Hiroshima
Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, along with their daughter Princess Aiko, returned to the Imperial Residence at the Imperial Palace on July 23 after staying at the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture. The family traveled from Tokyo to Nasu on July 18. During their stay, they were seen strolling through the lush, green grounds dressed in kariyushi shirts — Okinawa's traditional summer formal wear. The Emperor told reporters, "I hope the three of us can spend a relaxing time while enjoying Nasu's beautiful nature." The Empress added with a smile, "It's very cool, the air is refreshing, and we're enjoying ourselves surrounded by greenery." Princess Aiko also spoke cheerfully, saying, "I hope to discover many things to enjoy." On July 22, His Majesty reviewed cabinet-related documents and signed and sealed them at the villa. Emperor Emeritus Akihito was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital on July 18. He had been hospitalized since the 14th to begin a new course of medication as part of his heart treatment. He returned to the Akasaka Imperial Residence in Minato Ward, where he lives with Empress Emerita Michiko. Emperor Emeritus Akihito is discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital, accompanied by Empress Emerita Michiko — morning of July 18, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Kazuya Kamogawa) According to the Imperial Household Agency, a pre-admission exam revealed supraventricular arrhythmia, a condition that causes a rapid heartbeat in the upper chambers of the heart. The new oral medication is designed to reduce stress on the heart and is also effective in treating arrhythmia. The medical team has determined that it will not interfere with his daily life. Emperor Emeritus Akihito has experienced no pain or noticeable symptoms and will continue to be monitored. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 2025 Marine Day Commemorative Event at Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in Koto Ward on July 21. Prince Fumihito delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the "Marine Day Commemorative Event 2025." July 21, Tokyo International Cruise Terminal, Tokyo. Later that day, Princess Kiko visited the Memorial Auditorium of Jiyu Gakuen in Higashikurume City to attend a charity concert. The event was hosted by a patient organization supporting those with neuromyelitis optica, a designated intractable disease. Princess Kiko applauds as a charity concert performance begins. July 21, Jiyu Gakuen Memorial Auditorium, Higashikurume City, Tokyo. From July 23 to 24, the couple visited Hiroshima Prefecture to attend the opening of the All-Japan High School Athletic Meet (Inter-High). On the 23rd, they laid flowers at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko lay flowers at the cenotaph. July 23, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko meet with a woman working on colorizing black-and-white photos at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Afternoon of July 23, Hiroshima City. The following day, they attended the opening ceremony of the athletic meet at the Hiroshima Prefectural Sports Center, where they offered words of encouragement to the high school students involved in the event's organization. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko greet a high school student . Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, met with students from Japanese-language schools in Brazil on July 24. The meeting took place at the Akasaka East Residence in the Akasaka Estate, Minato Ward. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attend the opening ceremony of the All-Japan High School Athletic Meet — morning of July 24, Hiroshima Prefectural Gymnasium, Hiroshima City. Princess Hanako, wife of Prince Masahito, the younger brother of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, celebrated her 85th birthday on July 19. Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito, attended an awards ceremony on the 24th hosted by the Japan Building Maintenance Association, where she serves as Honorary President. The event was held at a hotel in Tokyo. Princess Akiko of the Mikasa family visited Fukuoka Prefecture from July 19 to 20. She watched a test match between the Japanese and Spanish women's national rugby teams as part of her duties as Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union. Princess Hisako of the Takamado family attended the awards ceremony for the Japan Open 2025 Badminton Championships on July 20. The event took place at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Shibuya Ward. She serves as Honorary President of the Badminton Association of Japan. On July 23, Princess Hisako visited Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and toured pavilions from countries including Thailand and Indonesia. On the 24th, she attended a ceremony marking the Czech Republic's National Day. ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun

5 days ago
- Politics
Japanese Emperor Meets with Czech President
News from Japan Society Jul 25, 2025 17:09 (JST) Tokyo, July 25 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Czech President Petr Pavel at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday. In their 30-minute meeting, the Emperor and the president, who is visiting Japan for the World Exposition in the western city of Osaka, both said that the international event is very important for strengthening world peace, according to the Imperial Household Agency. On Wednesday, the president viewed the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, a symbol of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japan city in the closing days of World War II. During Friday's meeting, the Emperor expressed his gratitude for the visit. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press

Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Straits Times
Japan's former emperor Akihito diagnosed with another heart condition
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Former emperor Akihito was admitted to the hospital on July 14, and discharged on July 18. TOKYO - Japan's former emperor Akihito has been diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, a heart rhythm disorder that causes a rapid heartbeat in the upper chambers of the heart, the Imperial Household Agency said on July 18 . The agency said the diagnosis was made at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where the 91-year-old had been hospitalised until July 18 for tests ahead of a new medication regimen to treat existing heart conditions. The former emperor's newly prescribed medication is also effective in treating symptoms of supraventricular tachycardia, according to his aides. The agency said it will continue to monitor his condition. The former emperor was admitted to the hospital on July 14 , where doctors aimed to carefully adjust the dosage of his new medication while monitoring his heart with an electrocardiogram. He was discharged on July 18 and left the hospital by car, accompanied by his wife, former empress Michiko, who had been visiting him daily. The former emperor was diagnosed in May with myocardial ischaemia – reduced blood flow to the heart muscle – after undergoing tests at the same hospital. He has since been under medication and observation for the condition. He has also been taking medication and following fluid intake restrictions since being diagnosed with heart failure in 2022. KYODO NEWS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 30% of aviation jobs could be redesigned due to AI, automation; $200m fund to support workers: CAAS Singapore Residents in South West District get help to improve employability, find career opportunities Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Singapore UOB awarded $17.7m in civil suit against Lippo Marina Collection over inflated housing loans Life Kinokuniya opens third bookstore in Raffles City, weeks ahead of schedule Business DBS shares rally to a new record as STI clocks yet another high Singapore 5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs Asia Lightning strikes kill 33 people in eastern India


The Mainichi
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan emperor, empress describe trip to Mongolia as 'truly memorable'
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Sunday described their visit to Mongolia as "truly memorable" as they concluded a trip aimed at affirming the two nations' enduring friendship and commemorating war victims. "We were able to directly feel the rich history and culture of Mongolia, as well as its natural wonders," they said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, recalling the first state visit to Mongolia by a Japanese emperor. During their eight-day trip, held in a year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the imperial couple paid their respects to Japanese nationals who died in internment camps in Mongolia after the war. "We prayed for the souls of the deceased who were unwillingly separated from their home and thought about the hardship they faced," they said. After the war, the Soviet military transferred around 14,000 of the approximately 575,000 Japanese prisoners of war held in Siberia to Mongolia, where they were made to work on infrastructure projects for about two years. More than 1,700 are believed to have died. The emperor and empress laid flowers and observed a moment of silence at a memorial established by the Japanese government on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday. It was the first time an emperor honored the memory of Japanese victims at an overseas internment site. At a banquet hosted the same day by Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife in Ulaanbaatar, the emperor joined a musical performance by traditional horsehead fiddle players with his viola. The imperial couple also attended Naadam, Mongolia's largest annual festival, on Friday. "We have deepened our understanding of the progress of the friendship that has been fostered over many years through the visit," the imperial couple said, expressing their appreciation for being warmly welcomed by the government and the people of Mongolia. "We expect young people to further deepen their mutual interest and play significant roles (in advancing bilateral ties)," they also said. Sandwiched between China and Russia, Mongolia established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1972. The two countries have maintained close ties since the landlocked nation began democratization and economic liberalization in 1990. The imperial couple waved farewell as Mongolian officials saw them off at Chinggis Khaan International Airport. They returned to Tokyo's Haneda Airport later Sunday.