Japan’s emperor expresses sorrow for people suffering in war
February 23, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito expressed deep sorrow for the suffering of people in conflicts around the world and stressed the importance of dialogue and cooperation in remarks released for his 63rd birthday Thursday.
Japanese emperor greets crowd at palace after COVID hiatus
January 2, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to throngs of New Year’s well-wishers from the balcony at the Imperial Palace on Monday in the return of a celebration halted for the past two years by the pandemic.
Live updates: Japan emperor, empress head to UK for funeral
September 17, 2022 GMTTOKYO — Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left for Britain on Saturday to attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral to pay respects to her and the British royal family who considered as a model for Japan’s monarchy in modern history.
Japanese emperor, empress to attend queen’s funeral
September 14, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will travel to Britain to attend Queen Elizabeth II ’s state funeral next week to pay respects to her, Japan's top government spokesperson said Wednesday.
Hanae Mori, Japanese designer for films, empress, dies at 96
August 18, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Designer Hanae Mori, known for her elegant signature butterfly motifs, numerous cinema fashions and the wedding gown of Japan's empress, has died, her office said Thursday. She was 96.
Japan princess says lives lost in Ukraine breaks her heart
March 17, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s only daughter, Princess Aiko, said she is heartbroken by the loss of many lives in Ukraine during her first solo news conference Thursday as an adult royal member.
Japan emperor turns 62, calls for hope to overcome pandemic
February 23, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito, marking his 62nd birthday on Wednesday, called on people to keep “the fire of hope” burning in their hearts and support each other to overcome the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan’s emperor prays for pandemic dead in New Year message
January 1, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito offered prayers for those who died during the pandemic, taking to video for the second straight year for his New Year’s greeting on Saturday, having canceled public palace gatherings to curb coronavirus infections.
Japan panel recommends no change to male-only emperor system
December 22, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A government panel has retained Japan's male-only imperial succession system despite a sharply shrinking number of men in the royal family.
The panel submitted a report to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday proposing ways to ensure there are enough potential successors, such as adopting single men from some of the 11 now-defunct royal households as potential heirs, and allowing female royals to retain their status after marrying commoners.
Japan emperor’s daughter Aiko turns 20, throne not in sight
December 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, on Wednesday turned 20, ready for a debut as a new adult member to take a share of official duties for the royal family whose population continues to shrink under the male-only succession law.
Japan crown prince says royals should refute extreme attacks
November 30, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, has complained about harsh criticism of his daughter’s recent marriage and suggested that the imperial family should be allowed to refute false and extreme attacks.
Japanese princess’s fiancé returns for delayed marriage
September 27, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Princess Mako’s fiancé returned to Japan on Monday for their marriage, which was suspended for more than three years because of a financial dispute involving his mother.
Kei Komuro, 29, arrived from New York, where he studied law and plans to work as a lawyer, with his hair in a ponytail, a bold statement by Japanese standards for someone marrying a princess in the tradition-bound imperial family.
Paralympic closing marks end of Tokyo’s 8-year Olympic saga
September 5, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The final act of the delayed Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics came Sunday, almost eight years to the day after the Japanese capital was awarded the Games.
The Paralympics ended a 13-day run in a colorful, circus-like ceremony at the National Stadium overseen by Crown Prince Akishino, the brother of Emperor Naruhito.
Paralympics open in empty stadium — just like Olympics
August 24, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — The Paralympics began Tuesday in the same empty National Stadium — during the same pandemic — as the opening and closing ceremonies of the recently completed Tokyo Olympics.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito got it all started again, this time under the theme “We Have Wings.” Among the few on hand were Douglas Emhoff, husband of U.S.
Tokyo’s Olympic fears give way to acceptance, to a point
August 12, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — When the Tokyo Olympics began during a worsening pandemic in Japan, the majority of the host nation was in opposition, with Emperor Naruhito dropping the word “celebrating” from his opening declaration of welcome.
From the Emperor on down: Memories of the ’64 Tokyo Olympics
July 29, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — From Emperor Naruhito on down, every Japanese of a certain age remembers the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese connect through parents or aunts and uncles who stored old photos, told stories or recalled getting a television set for the first time to watch the Games.
Jill Biden in Tokyo for Olympic Games, meets prime minister
July 22, 2021 GMTTOYKO (AP) — Jill Biden embarked on her first solo international trip as first lady, leading a U.S. delegation to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the coronavirus is surging and COVID-19 infections have climbed to a six-month high.
Palace: Japan emperor ‘worried’ about Olympics amid pandemic
June 24, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito is “extremely worried” that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics could accelerate the spread of the coronavirus, the head of the Imperial Palace said Thursday with the games opening in one month.
Still recovering, Japan marks 10 years since tsunami hit
March 12, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan fell quiet at 2:46 p.m. Thursday to mark the minute that an earthquake began 10 years ago, setting off a tsunami and nuclear crisis that devastated the country’s northeast coast in a disaster that one survivor said he fears people are beginning to forget...
Japan emperor shows concern to those suffering in pandemic
February 23, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito expressed concern about the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on people's health and livelihoods, noting that he has used online meetings to connect with people he could not console in person...
Japan’s emperor acknowledges virus hardship in video message
January 1, 2021 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito expressed gratitude to medical professionals and acknowledged the hardship caused by the coronavirus in a New Year's Day message shared by video instead of the usual public speech in front of large crowds at the palace...
Japan emperor’s brother proclaimed 1st in line to throne
November 8, 2020 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito's younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, was formally sworn in as first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne in a traditional palace ritual Sunday that has been postponed for seven month and scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic...
Japan’s new PM Yoshihide Suga, self-made and strong-willed
September 16, 2020 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Before he got Japan's top government job, Yoshihide Suga was known as a “shadow" prime minister and the right-hand man for his long-serving predecessor...
Japan marks 75th anniversary of war end with no Abe apology
August 15, 2020 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan on Saturday marked the 75th anniversary of its surrender in World War II, with Emperor Naruhito expressing “deep remorse” over his country’s wartime actions at a somber annual ceremony curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic...
Japan emperor’s 60th birthday overshadowed by virus fears
February 23, 2020 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito, marking his 60th birthday, offered his sympathy to those affected by the new virus, as concerns over infections forced the traditional gathering of tens of thousands of well-wishers outside the royal palace to be canceled...
Japan’s emperor waves to crowds in 1st New Year’s greeting
January 2, 2020 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito waved to cheering, flag-waving crowds from a palace balcony Thursday in his first New Year's greeting since ascending to the throne.
Naruhito and his wife Masako were joined by his parents, the former Emperor Akihito and his wife Michiko, in the appearance at the Imperial Palace...
Pope denounces ‘evil’ of nukes as he fulfills Japan dream
November 23, 2019 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Pope Francis denounced the “evil” of nuclear weapons on Saturday as he began a three-day visit to Japan and fulfilled a dream to be a missionary in a land with a rich but bloody Christian past...
Over 100,000 greet Japan’s emperor at enthronement parade
November 10, 2019 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako waved and smiled from an open car in a parade Sunday marking Naruhito's enthronement as more than 100,000 delighted well-wishers cheered, waved small flags and took photos from packed sidewalks...