Royalty in the News » Empress Michiko

Bhutanese State Visit to Japan

Megan M — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:31:07 +0000

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

Emperor Akihito Remains Hospitalized

Megan M — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:26:50 +0000

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

Empress Michiko Marks 77th Birthday

Megan M — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:42:06 +0000

The Empress of Japan celebrated her 77th birthday Thursday. As all members of the Imperial family do, Michiko released a statement where she discussed this year’s massive earthquake and tsunami, and getting older.

Click here for more images of the Empress

“I shall continue to watch over and support the path to their recovery until this region shows signs of true and positive recovery,” the Empress said about the tens of thousands who were displaced as a result of the natural disaster that killed 20,000.

“Initially I had to face and overcome the hopelessness and helplessness that tended to overwhelm me,” she explained her initial reaction.

She added, however, it was “the noble and calm behavior of the people” in the disaster-afflicted regions that encouraged and helped her recover from “the anguish and despair” she felt.

“More than anything else, it gave me great solace” to see the way so many citizens responded to the disasters “by helping each other in the spirit of sharing and giving.”

“I pray that they will be able to regain their normal daily lives as soon as possible and for the return of peaceful days,” the Empress said.

Michiko was asked about her health. In July and September, she suffered from severe pain between her left shoulder and left arm.

“Most of the time they are the sort I can bear,” she said. “It pains me to see that whenever this happens, it causes anxiety and concern to the people.”

Also suffering from illness is, her husband, Emperor Akihito, who was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis in February.

“All this makes me realize that we are now entering a slightly more ‘uphill’ age,” she said in her statement.

Source: Mainichi Daily

Akihito & Michiko Meet With Earthquake and Tsunami Victims

Megan M — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 18:54:01 +0000

For the first time since the 9.0 earthquake and massive tsunami struck Japan, the country’s Emperor and Empress are visiting the victims of the natural disaster.

Click here to see more

On Wednesday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko went to a makeshift Tokyo shelter to meet with people who had lost their homes March 11th. Dressed casually, Their Imperial Majesties sat on the floor with the victims and learned about their plight.

Most of the people they met with were from Fukushima Prefecture where the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is.

The Imperial Household Agency is relaxing its rigid rules to show compassion towards the Japanese people. Besides allowing the Emperor and Empress to personally meet with those who suffered from the earthquake and tsunami, the IHA also opened a bathhouse normally used by the royals, was opened to evacuees taking refuge in Tochigi Prefecture. This is the first time the bathhouse were allowed to be used by the public ever. They will be open for about a month.

At the same time, food raised on royal farms are being shipped to stricken areas. Usually used for official events, the food from these farms include 1,000 eggs, around 280 cans of pork sausage and some of smoked chicken. Not even during the 1995 Kobe earthquake were the royal farms being used for refugees.

It is being reported that the Emperor and Empress are planning to make more trips to evacuation centers around Tokyo, but the IHA has yet to comment.

The IHA is also not commenting if the recent acts of charity were decided before or after Emperor Akihito’s televised address to the nation on March 16th – the first time ever he had broadcast a speech to the people.

Sources: Japan Real Time – WSJ.com, AP

Bhutan Princess Meets Japanese Royalty

Megan M — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:58:00 +0000

On Wednesday, Princess Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuk of Bhutan met with members of Japan’s imperial family as she visited the country for the Kyoto eco forum. She was accompanied by her husband of 8 years, Palden Yoeser Thinley.

Jiji.com

The Princess first met with Crown Prince Naruhito, who’s wife Masako was not present, and later the Emperor and Empress.

Ashi’s role at the Kyoto eco forum is to have the representatives learn from her country, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, which only recently opened itself to the world. In the last fifteen years, it has allowed electricity, television, the Internet and democracy.

“Japan is a wonderful blend of country tradition and advanced technology,” Princess Ashi said “I hear there are a variety of problems, and you want to know the philosophy of Gross National Happiness for sustainable development.”

What Ashi means by Gross National Happiness is that her father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk once said, “I am not concerned about the Gross National Product, but the Gross National Happiness of my people.”

The sister to King Jigme Khesar Wangchuk, Princess Ashi often represents Bhutan overseas, particularly in Asia.

Source: Mainichi Daily Times

Emperor Akihito Expresses New Year’s Hopes

Megan M — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 06:07:31 +0000

On Sunday, the Japanese Imperial family gathered on the balcony of the palace to wave to well-wishers waiting to hear Emperor Akihito’s New Year’s speech.

REUTERS/Issei Kato

“At the start of this year, I wish for peace and tranquility of the world and happiness of the people,” Akihito said into the microphone as he stood behind a bullet-proof glass covering the balcony. “I wish that this year will be a good year, even slightly, for each of you.”

One day before, on New Year’s Day, the Imperial Household Agency released a statement from the Emperor, where he looked back in 2010 and looked to 2011.

“It is my hope that the New Year will be a good year for the people of Japan and the people of the world,” he said.

The Emperor expressed sympathy for those who suffered from the summer heat and the continuous economic troubles.

“I hope that people will cherish their families and community ties and support one another to overcome these challenges they are facing. I also hope that they will work together with the people of the world and do their utmost in pursuit of peace and stability.”

The Imperial Household Agency also released a few “waka” poems written by both Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The poems talked about the Emperor climbing Mount Sekison with Prince Akishino and his family, and seeing the Daigoku-den, the former Imperial Audience Hall, when he attended a Commemorative Ceremony for the 1,300th anniversary of the capital relocation to Nara Heijo-kyo in October.

Sources: AFP, Zee News

Empress Michiko Admits to Slowing Down

Megan M — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:05:50 +0000

The Empress of Japan celebrated her 76th birthday on Wednesday. To coincide with her big day, Empress Michiko released a statement where she discussed getting older along with the rest of the nation.

AP Photo/Imperial Household Agency

“I also often experience symptoms that seem to be caused by aging, such as not being able to find what I am looking for. I find these incidents amusing at times, but I also feel a bit helpless,” she said.

“To strike the right balance between being aware of, and accepting the fact that one declines with age both in body and mind on the one hand, and not being overly sensitive to aging, is not easy.”

Michiko was diagnosed with an asthma variant earlier this year, and she suffered an eye inflammation this week. However, she continues to perform her royal duties.

The Empress also discussed her family in the statement. About her sons, Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino, she said: “I am certain that they will find a guiding principle and support in the way His Majesty over the years has proceeded in pursuit of how the Imperial Family should be and how the Emperor should be.”

She also touched on her daughter in law, Crown Princess Masako, and granddaughter, Princess Aiko, who had missed several school days this year due to being bullied by classmates.

“As the Crown Prince’s family is now experiencing difficulties related to health and schooling, all of us in the family are watching over them with concern,” the Empress stated.

Sources: Mainichi Daily News

Japanese Empress Back at Work Despite Eye Inflammation

Megan M — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:54:17 +0000

profimedia.cz, Newscom

The Empress of Japan resumed her royal duties Monday, despite suffering from an eye hemorrhage yesterday. It was reported that Empress Michiko was going to cancel her appearances for a week to recover, but it seems her dedication to duty won over – even though her right eye was noticeably swollen.

She and Emperor Akihito performed two tasks today: the first was to mark the 125th anniversary of Japan’s patent system at a Tokyo hotel.

The second was to welcome the President of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, to the Imperial Palace. Khama is on a four day official visit to Japan.

Sources: The Royal Forums

Empress Michiko Cancels Schedule Due to Eye Pain

Megan M — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:33:36 +0000

Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images/FILE

The Empress of Japan has cancelled her schedule for this week due to an eye pain attributed to fatigue, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

Empress Michiko, age 75, was diagnosed with a subconjunctival hemorrhage or hiposfagma when she woke up with an acute pain in her eye. It is not known which eye it is.

Michiko is expected to resume her duties next Sunday.

Source: ¡Hola!

Willem Alexander Speaks at Environmental Forum

Megan M — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:16:34 +0000

Dutch Crown Prince Willem Alexander is currently spending three days in Japan, where he is doing his duty as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on water and sanitation, a cause the Crown Prince is very active in.

REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout

He arrived Monday and attended the Asahi Environmental Forum. Later in the evening, Willem Alexander met with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for dinner at the Imperial Palace.

At the Forum, the Crown Prince gave a keynote speech about the need for clean water and proper sanitation in developing countries.

“Water is life. Our life,” he said. “Water plays a vital role in almost every aspect of life. Our economy; our food; our safety; our health; our nature; our living environment; our culture. Water – or a shortage of it – is a decisive factor in all of them.”

“Nowadays, we take it all for granted: dry feet, clean water from the tap, being able to move around freely, and having enough food at affordable prices. But you only have to open a newspaper, or switch on the television to see the reality.

“This summer, millions of people in Pakistan lost their homes in devastating floods. Nearly 2,000 people were killed. The impact of the disaster is immense. Harvests have failed. Farmland is useless. Roads and railway lines have been destroyed. Schools and hospitals have been swept away. Infectious diseases are rife. There is no drinking water. It will take a very long time for the people in the stricken areas to get their lives back in order.

“The reverse happened in Russia this summer, with the worst drought in many years. Twenty per cent of the wheat harvest failed and devastating forest fires polluted the air in Moscow.

“We need to take account of changing weather patterns. Far more rain falling in some places, and far less in others. That applies to Japan and the Netherlands as much as to Pakistan and Russia.”

Willem Alexander then mentioned integrated water resources management.

“We have to link water to spatial planning, economic policy, agriculture, health and disaster prevention. We also have to join hands across national borders. The impact of climate change on the world’s shared freshwater resources makes the need for viable transboundary management instruments even more pressing.

“The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, COP 15, focused attention on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. It is essential that we do so. But even if we manage to make crystal-clear agreements on that issue, we will still have to adapt to the demands water places on us. Water is after all the primary medium through which climate change influences Earth’s ecosystems and thus the livelihood and well-being of societies.”

Willem Alexander then highlighted the devastation of poor drinking water and sanitation in Third World countries.

“2.5 billion people still have no access to these basic facilities. The same people we expect to be working on their development – to be sending their children to school, and to be feeling responsible for the future of their country.

“But how can you work and learn properly without enough clean water, without even a toilet? Would you send your children to a school that had no toilets? 440 million school days are lost each year through illness caused by poor hygiene. Poor sanitation costs sub-Saharan Africa more money than all the development aid and debt relief going into the region put together.”

“Much has been achieved in the past ten years,” the Crown Prince said, switching to a more positive note.

“Figures from UNICEF and the World Health Organisation show that nearly 1.5 billion people have acquired drinking water from an improved source since 1990. We will very probably achieve the MDG [Millenium Development Goals] target for drinking water by 2015. I would ask all the sceptics who don’t believe in the power of international agreements to consider this enormous leap forward. At the same time, I must also point out that water quality is still an issue that warrants far more attention. If we supply people with water, it must of course be clean and safe to drink.

“Around 1.3 billion people have gained access to improved sanitation since 1990. That is very impressive. But even at this rate we will not achieve the MDG target. We could give up, and decide that it was simply not to be. But there are still five years to go. We can make a final sprint. We can achieve the target, but only if we give it everything we’ve got.”

With that, Willem Alexander closed his speech. “I have told you about water, my great passion: water that is all around us, the source of life, food, growth, development and health.

“Let us treat it accordingly. By including it in all our plans. By adapting to the demands it makes. By giving it a prominent place on the agenda at Cancún.”

To read more of his speech, click here