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 Click here for image gallery His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan is scheduled to undergo heart tests next Saturday. He will be having an angiogram of his coronary arteries after initial tests displayed a restricted blood flow.
News of this exam raises concerns over the 78 year old Emperor’s health. Last November, he was hospitalized for 19 days for bronchial pneumonia.
He also has been treated for prostate cancer, an ulcer and last year, was put on medication after it was discovered that his heart arteries were narrowing.
Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
For his birthday interview, Prince Akishino, the Emperor’s second son, brought up the possibility of have a retirement age for the monarchs.
Sources: AFP, Mainichi
The Emperor of Japan marked his 78th birthday Friday by appearing on the palace balcony to wave and speak to a large crowd of well-wishers. Emperor Akihito also released a statement which mainly looked back on the year, with many ups and downs not only for him, but for the Japanese people.
 Click here for more photos “Looking back on this year, I must say this has been a truly distressing year, dominated by disasters,” His Majesty said.
“However it has been encouraging to note that the people in the afflicted areas are enduring the harsh conditions in evacuation and that many people are volunteering to support the victims. I feel that the Japanese people have come together as a nation to squarely face the disaster and do what they can to be of help for the victims.”
The Emperor discussed the Great East Earthquake, which struck on March 11th and caused a massive tsunami. 20,000 died as a result.
“My thoughts go out to the people who lost members of their families and loved ones. Their sorrow must be truly heart-rending. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes and livelihoods and those who can no longer live in the places they used to live because of the nuclear plant accident,” he said.
“In the aftermath of the disaster, the Empress and I visited the areas afflicted by the disasters and the evacuation centres for the victims in many areas to offer comfort and encouragement to them. On all of these visits we were most touched to see that, in spite of the sadness and hardships they must be facing, the people never seemed to lose their composure and, with a strong sense of solidarity, they were trying to overcome their hardships by helping each other.”
The Emperor expressed his gratitude towards the Self-Defense Forces, the police, the firefighters, the Japan Coast Guard, as well as all international help and condolences. But his mind is still on those suffering from the March disaster.
“The afflicted areas will soon be facing a bitter cold winter. I am concerned about the health of the survivors, especially the elderly, who live under inadequate living conditions. It is my sincere hope that they will remain in good health through the cold winter.”
Akihito also talked about natural disasters elsewhere, particularly in Thailand where major flooding has taken a toll on the country. “The disasters in Japan and the floods in Thailand remind us once again that we live in a world today in which our lives are closely linked with the lives of peoples of other countries.”
Finally, the Emperor brought up his recent hospital stay for bronchitis.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people for their concern and compassion regarding my health when I was hospitalized last month for mycoplasma infection. It has now been several weeks since I left hospital and I have been able to resume the official state duties that I had entrusted to the Crown Prince and I now feel that my physical condition is back to how it was prior to my hospitalization. I shall take good care of my health as I resume my works from now on through various events related to the coming of the New Year.”
“Only days remain before the end of the year. My heart will be always with the afflicted people in the coming new year as has been the case thus far. I sincerely hope that the coming year will be a better year for everyone.”
To read Emperor Akihito’s reflection in its entirety, click here.
Source: Mainichi Times
The wife of the heir to the Japanese throne marks her 48th birthday today. Crown Princess Masako has been seen little over the years due to a stress induced mental illness.
 Click here to see photos of Masako and family But this year, she often accompanied husband Crown Prince Naruhito to the areas hit hard by the March earthquake-tsunami and also meet with evacuees. Many wondered if this was the rebirth of Masako.
Yes, says the medical team helping her with her recovery, but not so much.
The doctors said it was “ill-minded” for the media to say the Crown Princess had completely healed.
“We cannot expect a quick recovery as far as the situation is not improved,” they said.
For nearly nine years, Masako has nearly dropped out of public life altogether because of her problems. She has been taking medication and speaks to counselors.
As part of her birthday, she released a statement where she talked about the March disaster.
“I shall deeply bear in my mind feelings of people in the disaster-hit areas and continue to watch over the path to their recovery,” the Crown Princess said, adding that the disaster was “too shocking to put into words”.
Masako also talked about her only child, Princess Aiko, who turned 10 last week. “The issue of Aiko’s school life has taken up a large part of my daily life this year.”
Since last year, Aiko has been accompanied by her mother to Gakushuin school, where she experienced anxiety caused by rowdy schoolboys. But things are getting better for her. “[T]hings seem to be moving in a positive direction,” her mother said.
Source: Kyodo
Princess Aiko, only child of Japan’s Crown Princely couple is celebrating her 10th birthday Thursday.
 View gallery of Princess Aiko here The Princess is a fourth grader at the exclusive Gakushuin school in Tokyo, and joined its orchestra club this past June as a cellist. She also had her own ceramics exhibited at the school and is started to recite “Hyakunin Isshu” (One-hundred waka poems) by memory.
In addition, the Princess is taking care of a cat and its kittens since this summer, along with her dog, Yuri.
Aiko made headlines worldwide last year when it was revealed she was suffering from anxiety due to rowdy classmates. Her mother, Crown Princess Masako, accompanied her to school and even sat through classes with Aiko. But according to the Imperial Household Agency, that is happening less and the Princess is attending almost all her classes.
“It appears she will need just a little more time to get back to normal. We’d like to calmly wait for that,” said a source close to the Imperial Household Agency.
Aiko is also taking part in Japan’s healing from this year’s massive earthquake and tsunami. She said prayers during the one month anniversary in April at the Togu Palace.
She is also healing well after being hospitalized for pneumonia last month.
Source: Mainichi
In an interview marking his 46th birthday, Japan’s Prince Akishino made some controversial remarks about the age limits of Emperors.
 View more images of Prince Akishino & family here He said having a retirement age for monarchs is “one idea” and “discussions should be held including at what age to draw the line.”
“When you pass a certain age, it gradually becomes difficult for people to do various things,” said Akishino, who’s father, Emperor Akihito, will turn 78 in late December.
Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, a male who is a descendant of an Emperor would ascend to the Chrysanthemum throne upon the Emperor’s death.
Akishino’s comments have led many to wonder if there is a crisis going on within the imperial family. According to the Daily Yomiuri, many of the Prince’s comments reflected the beliefs held by many among members of the royals and senior officials of the Imperial Household Agency.
These remarks come just days after it was announced there will be dynastic changes to the family, particularly allowing princesses to maintain their titles after marrying commoners.
Sources: Inside Japan Tours, Daily Yomiuri
 Click here for original article Tuesday saw the eldest grandchild of the Emperor and Empress of Japan take part in a duck hunt in Chiba prefecture.
20 year old Princess Mako joined her parents, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, in showing ambassadors from 11 countries this traditional Japanese event. It was among her first royal duties as an adult member of the imperial family.
The way duck hunting goes is the person catches a wild duck with their own hands and then sets it free.
Although Princess Mako is slowly being added to the schedule for imperial duties, she won’t be full time royal until she completes her studies at the International Christian I University in April 2012.
Source: 47news.jp
 Click here for more photos This past Thursday saw the Emperor of Japan be discharged from the University of Tokyo hospital, nearly three weeks after he was admitted for fever, cold and symptoms of bronchitis.
77 year old Emperor Akihito thanked the doctors, nurses and staff who took care of him before being driven to the Palace with Empress Michiko.
His Majesty will not return to royal duties any time soon. He will be resting for about a week.
Grand Steward Shingo Haketa said the Imperial Household Agency “should consider (the emperor’s) health more than ever, but there also are important duties and finding the right balance will be another issue.”
During Akihito’s hospitalization, his son and heir, Crown Prince Naruhito often stood in for him for engagements.
Source: Mainichi Daily
Japan is considering allowing female members of its Imperial family to maintain their status after they marry commoners.
 See more photos of the Imperial Family here The Imperial Household Agency told the government Friday that it is “an urgent matter” to consider this change, mainly because it will help secure the succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Currently, when a Japanese princess marries a commoner, she immediately loses her title and becomes a commoner herself.
But with this proposal, a female member of the family could keep her status and also provide heirs to the throne.
The reason why this issue is arising in the Imperial family is that of the 23 members, four of the seven males are in their sixties or older. As for the female members, eight of them unmarried. Those eight include Princess Aiko, the nine year old daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, and Princesses Mako and Kako, the daughters of Prince Akishino.
According to Japan’s top government spokesman Osamu Fujimura, the chief of the Imperial Household Agency, Shingo Haketa, briefed Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in October about the situation and the future of the family. There is concern that as the male members age and the female members marry and possibly lose their status, the imperial family will be smaller and be unable to carry out all of their duties.
Despite this consideration, there is still no talk about allowing women to becoming reigning Empresses. That was thrown out after Prince Akishino’s wife, Princess Kiko, delivered a son, Prince Hisahito, in September 2006.
However, if the government allows Japanese princesses to stay within the family and create their own branches, there is a possibility that someday, women will be allowed to inherit the throne.
Sources: Mainichi, Yomiuri
Yesterday began the first visit to Japan of any kind by a Bhutanese King. The state visit is meant to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Japanese-Bhutan diplomatic ties.
 Click here to see more photos at Daylife.com King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his new wife, Queen Jetsun Pema, arrived in Tokyo and quickly met with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and his wife. The two expressed their condolences over the devastating March 11th earthquake and tsunami. Meanwhile the Prime Minister congratulated them on their wedding last month. The King and Noda then discussed ways to tighten their countries relations.
On Wednesday, the couple met with members of the Imperial family. They were greeted at the palace by Crown Prince Naruhito and took part in a welcoming ceremony.
Naruhito is standing in for his father, Emperor Akihito, who is still being hospitalized with a bad cough.
In the evening, the King and Queen will be guests of honor at a state banquet at the palace.
During their itinerary, the Bhutanese royals will go to local schools, visit the ancient Japanese capital of Kyoto to learn about the country’s culture, and also tour the areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami.
In addition, King Jigme will receive a honorary doctorate in economics from Keio University and will give a speech to Parliament.
King Jigme and Queen Jetsun are the first state guests to Japan since the devastation earlier this year.
Bhutan, which focuses on limiting the effects of outside influences in the country, has diplomatic ties to only 25 countries plus the European Union.
Sources: Mainichi Daily News, Mofa.go.jp
 See more photos of the Japanese Imperial family here The Emperor of Japan is still being treated at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where he was admitted Sunday for bronchitis.
Akihito is said to now be suffering from a fever as well. Empress Michiko has visited him twice so far, canceling making an appearance at a piano recital Monday.
It is believed the stress of this year’s earthquake and tsunami weakened the Emperor and made him vulnerable to illness.
Stepping in for him is his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The 51 year old heir was seen presiding over the annual autumn decorations awards on Monday. Next week, he will make a visit to the Yamanashi Prefecture on behalf of his father and mother.
Emperor Akihito is 77 years old, and will turn 78 next month.
Source: Mainichi Daily Times
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