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


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On May 7th, Emperor Naruhito's family returned to Tokyo from their retreat at the stock farm in Tochigi Prefecture. They entered the Imperial Palace around 5:30pm. Their Majesties will be busy after the break, such as preparations for the state visit to the UK in June.

Sources: TBS, FNN, tv-asahi



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More content of May 2 arrival at the farm:

8760.news-postseven gallery


 
On May 21st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Kudan Kindergarten in Chiyoda, Tokyo to mark Children's Day (May 5). They interacted with the children and watched craft activities between kindergarten and 5th grade students from the attached elementary school.

Photos: AP Images, Mainichi, FNN, Asahi


 
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On May 25th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began a 2-day visit to Okayama Prefecture for the 74th National Tree Planting Festival.
  • arrived after 11am
  • briefing from governor
  • visit Okayama Technical High School where 3rd year civil engineering students explained their activities in the local community, such as investigating road deterioration and purifying water.
  • watch Okayama City Junior Orchestra practice for the next day's opening ceremony
  • meet winners of the festival’s poster contest at hotel
  • meet people who made outstanding contributions to greenery in 2023 at convention center
Photos: Mainichi, Asahi, Nikkansports, FNN, AP Images

After 7:30pm, Emperor Naruhito privately visited his 93-year-old aunt Atsuko Ikeda (former princess Yori) at her home within Ikeda Zoo. He stayed for about 30 minutes according to NTV.

Photo: TBS






On May 26th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 74th National Tree Planting Festival ceremony in Okayama City. They planted six seedlings and sowed four types of seeds.

In the afternoon, they visited Mabi Fureai Park in Mabi district in Kurashiki City. Heavy rains in July 2018 caused 95 disaster related deaths in Okayama Prefecture with 74 in Mabi. The park, a symbol of reconstruction, is built on the site where the Oda river broke its banks. Mayor Kaori Ito gave an explanation of the damage and recovery progress. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako bowed towards the areas that suffered the most damage and met victims.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, FNN2, AP Images, AP Images2, Getty Images, Getty Images2


Japan's Emperor and Empress visit rain-damaged community in Okayama Prefecture | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have visited a community in western Japan that was devastated by heavy rain six years ago.

[....]

Kurashiki Mayor Ito Kaori explained that most of the residents returned after riverbanks were fortified and houses were rebuilt on elevated ground.

The Emperor and Empress bowed deeply toward the residential area where reconstruction is underway.

They talked with three residents who experienced the disaster.

Takatsuki Motofumi said he told the couple that a local festival has been revived to the joy of the entire community. He said the Empress told him, "That's truly wonderful."

Japan's Imperial Couple Visit Disaster-Hit Area in Okayama | Nippon.com
[....] The Emperor and the Empress also met with people affected by the disaster, including Motofumi Takatsuki, 76, who helped revive a local festival, and local junior high school students.

The visit to Mabi by the Imperial couple marked their first trip to areas in western Japan hit hard by torrential rains in July 2018. In Okayama, 95 people were killed in the disaster, including 74 in Mabi.

Earlier on Sunday, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako took part in a national tree planting festival in the city of Okayama. The Emperor said in a speech that it is an important mission for people to pass on forests to future generations in a healthy manner.


 
:previous: The Emperor's family attended "Viola Space 2024" concert at Kioi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

The concert included violist Nobuko Imai and violinist Kei Saotome, a classmate of Princess Aiko from Gakushuin elementary school. Emperor Naruhito attends the Viola Space concert almost every year, whereas this is Empress Masako 2nd time since 1998 and Princess Aiko's first time.

More photos/info: FNN, Asahi, NTV, Jiji


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On June 1st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako privately attended the 150th anniversary ceremony of the Kasumi Kaikan (association of the former kazoku high nobility). They arrived at the venue Tokyo Kaikan around 10:30am before the 11am ceremony and left in the early afternoon. This is Empress Masako's first visit to Kasumi Kaikan.

The Kasumi Kaikan is a social group for former aristocrats, mainly heads of families, that was established on June 1, 1874 as the Kazoku Kaikan, and was renamed when the aristocracy was abolished after the war. Members of the Imperial Family are honorary members. The association also supports Imperial court events such as Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading).

Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and Akishino couple attended the 140th anniversary ceremony. More recently, the Emeritus and Akishino couples with Princess Kako attended a meeting with Shimazu family at Kasumi Kaikan in April.

Arrival photos: FNN, TBS


 
Ahead of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's wedding anniversary on June 9th, the Imperial Household Agency released private photos of the family's retreat at the Imperial Stock Farm from May. The 21 photos include photos taken by Emperor Naruhito.

The family harvested bamboo, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, etc. Princess Aiko was reunited with the cow "Rainbow," she named last year. Photos show the family biking and spending time with horses and lambs.

Photos: FNN, Asahi, NHK, NTV, Nikkansports

Another 7 photos were released of the family's cats Mii and Seven, including Princess Aiko feeding stray cats when she was a 3rd grade student (May 2010). Empress Masako brought some of these photos to show a guest at the spring garden party.

Photo: Mainichi

Photos of Japanese Emperor Naruhito's Family Released | Nippon.com
[...] The family stayed at the Imperial farm on May 2-7, during the country's Golden Week holiday period.

Meanwhile, some of the seven photos of cats show "Mii" and "Seven," both living with the Emperor's family. In other photos, taken in May 2010, are cats being fed by Princess Aiko, then a third grader at Gakushuin Primary School in Tokyo, after they were rescued by the princess around the family's then residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

According to an aide, the family rescued a mother cat and four kittens near the residence. The mother cat, named "Ningen," or Human, died in May 2016. One of the kittens, given the name Mii, and Seven, adopted from a shelter, are now living with the Emperor's family at the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward of the Japanese capital.



:previous: Pictures of the imperial family’s beloved cats released to news media | The Asahi Shimbun

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On June 7th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended the Vienna Boys Choir performance at Tokyo Opera City in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Photos: FNN, AP Images, Asahi


 
On the morning of July 4th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, in the form of "proxy worship," sent messengers to the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun to report the completion of the UK state visit.

Source: NTV

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On July 5th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Emeritus couple to pay respects and report on the UK state visit. They entered Akasaka Estate around 4pm and stayed about 40 minutes.

Photos: Sankei, Jiji, Getty Images

 
Later on July 8th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended audiences at the Imperial Palace's small dining room Rensui.
  • 2023 Japan Art Academy Award winners and new members
  • 2024 Japan Academy Prize winners and new members


 
On August 15th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead on the 79th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Nikkei reports the memorial returned to pre-pandemic scale: national anthem was sung and no distancing between seats.

Photos: Getty Images


Full ceremony
 
On August 21st, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako traveled to Nasu Imperial Villa in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture to recuperate until late August. They departed from Tokyo's Imperial Palace by car around 1:30pm and arrived at the villa before 5pm. Their Majesties met the press at the Oumeitei rest area around 6pm.

Princess Aiko did not join her parents due to work commitments as August is a busy month for her division (Youth and Volunteer) at the Japanese Red Cross Society. She is training student volunteers according to FNN.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, Getty Images


:previous: more photos and videos: TBS



 
On August 30th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako returned to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo from Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture.

 
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko attended a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Nippon Music Foundation in Tokyo today, September 3:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **
 
:previous: more photos from Nippon Music Foundation's 50th Anniversary "Stradivarius Concert 2024" on September 3: FNN gallery

 
On September 5th, aides reported Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were heartbroken by the casualties and damage caused by the previous week's Typhoon No. 10. Their Majesties were also concerned for the many people involved in recovery efforts amid the hot weather.

Source: NTV

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Saga Prefecture October 5-6 for the National Sports Festival opening ceremony in Saga City. Agenda includes watching a volleyball match and visiting Hizenhama Station in Kashima City.

Source: NHK

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On September 9th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko visited the special exhibition "FOLON: Agency of Imaginary Journeys" at Tokyo Station Gallery in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Over 230 works by Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon (1934-2005) are on display until the 23rd.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, AP Images


 
On September 12th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko arrived at JR Nasu-Shiobara Station in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture around 1:30pm. The family will stay at Nasu Imperial Villa until mid-September.

Photos: AP Images, FNN (mixed with last year's retreat)

The family met the press at Nasu Imperial Villa around 4:30pm.

Photos: FNN

 
:previous: more content of Emperor Naruhito's family arrival at Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture and Nasu Imperial Villa on September 12. About 270 locals greeted their arrival at the station. The family spoke to the well-wishers for ~30 minutes before traveling to Nasu Imperial Villa, where they will stay at the Japanese-style annex for about a week.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi, Getty Images, shimotsuke.co.jp



 
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On September 17th, Emperor Naruhito's family visited Nasu Animal Kingdom. A reader of Jisin shared photos with the publication.

Photos: Jisin, Jisin2

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Emperor Naruhito's family returned to Tokyo in the afternoon of September 19. They arrived at the Imperial Palace's Inui Gate around 5:30pm.

Video, photos: NTV, FNN

 
On September 19th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako donated money to Yamagata and Miyazaki prefectures, which suffered extensive damage from heavy rains beginning in late July and Typhoon Faxai in August. The Imperial Household Agency conveyed the donations to the Tokyo offices of both prefectures.

Source: Sankei

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On September 21st, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko privately attended the 26th Forum on Living with Animals 2024 at Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The Japanese Board of Veterinary Practitioners (JBVP) organizes the annual event which this year featured various seminars on companion animals, medical care and a "Working dog corner" to introduce guide and assistance dogs.

Photo/video: FNN, TBS

 
On September 26th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Japanese Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for Japanese Communities at the Imperial residence for about an hour. The 8 JOCV members discussed their work in Paraguay, Brazil, Kyrgyzstan, Gabon, Thailand and Rwanda. Their activities included:
  • swimming and track & field lessons to children with disabilities in Thailand
  • midwife services in Gabon
  • promoting tourism through coffee in Rwanda
  • Japanese lessons at primary to high school students Brazil
Photos: Asahi, FNN, Sankei Imperial Weekly 865, NTV, Yomiuri, TBS

 
On September 28th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 60th Anniversary ceremony of the National Association for the Protection of Children and Adults with Severe Physical and Intellectual Disabilities (Mamorukai) at Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba in Minato, Tokyo.

Their Majesties met families after the ceremony. Emperor Naruhito expressed concern about visitor restrictions to facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Empress Masako asked a middle school boy about his favorite classes at school.

Photos: AP Images, Mainichi, Sankei


 
:previous: The International Youth Exchange Conference began in 1994 to commemorate the couple's marriage.

More photos: FNN, Asahi


 
On October 5th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako began a 2-day visit to Saga Prefecture. They attended the 2024 / 78th National Sports Festival opening ceremony at SAGA Stadium in Saga City and met festival and athletes at the accommodation, Hotel New Otani Saga.

This year, 37 official events will be held, with approximately 21,000 athletes and related parties participating.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, FNN2, AP Images, Getty Images

Photos mixed with past Saga visits or National Sports Festival: Asahi2, Asahi3



Some 3,500 people welcomed Their Majesties with lanterns in the evening.


I posted here because Naruhito and Masako's visit doesn't overlap with other Imperial family members' visit to Saga for the National Sports Festival. Please move if this should be in the family thread.
 
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More October 5 content from saga-s.co.jp gallery and Imperial Household Agency's instagram:



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On October 6th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched women's volleyball competition at Saga Arena in Saga City. Japan Volleyball Association Chairman Shunichi Kawai provided explanations.

Next, Their Majesties visited the Fukutomi Yuaikan comprehensive multi-purpose facility in Shiraishi Town and JA Beverage Saga in Kashima City. Lastly, they visited Hizenhama Station and its HAMA BAR. Local children who are "street guides" met the couple at the station. Sake brewing is thriving in the region and the prefecture built the bar in the station to promote sake tourism. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met managers of a brewery. His Majesty said he drank local sake last night, complimenting "It was delicious."

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi, Getty Images



 
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TV Tokyo's 38+ minute video of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's October 5-6 visit to Saga Prefecture for the 2024 / 78th National Sports Festival, includes chamberlain's press conference.

 
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will visit Oita Prefecture November 9-10 for the 43rd National Sea Enrichment Conference and local area inspection. They will tour a seedling facility in Kunisaki city and attend conference events in Oita and Beppu cities.

Source: NTV

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On October 10th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the 20th Healthy Society Awards at Tokyo Kaikan in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The award honors contributions to society in the fields of education, medicine, volunteering, etc.

Photos: Asahi, Getty Images, Getty Images2


 
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