Japanese royals

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Scrutinized by Japan, Husband of Former Princess Passes Bar

Tabloids from home have followed couple around New York

(Newser) - The man who married a former Japanese princess has passed the New York bar exam, defying detractors back home who had criticized their romance. Kei Komuro's name is on the list of those who passed the July New York state bar exam, which was posted Friday on the New...

Crown Prince Unusually Candid About Coverage of Daughter

Crown prince had choice words about 'fabrications,' response to stories

(Newser) - Prince Akishino of Japan has some choice words about the media coverage of his daughter Mako and her wedding. The former Japanese princess, now a commoner and a New Yorker , was subject to intense and unflattering media scrutiny, and her dad is not pleased—not with tabloids, not with online...

Japan Pardons 550K as Emperor Takes Throne

'An opportunity for the citizens of Japan to cleanse their spirit and start anew'

(Newser) - Japan celebrated the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito on Tuesday—and around 550,000 people classed as petty criminals had plenty of reason to cheer. The Japanese government announced ahead of Tuesday's ceremony at Tokyo's Imperial Palace that more than half a million pardons had been granted as "...

Japan's 126th Emperor Proclaims Enthronement

Prime minister led 'banzai' cheers

(Newser) - Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on Tuesday, proclaiming himself Japan's 126th emperor as the audience shouted "banzai" to wish him a long and prosperous reign. Naruhito pledged at an enthronement ceremony at the Imperial Palace to serve his constitutional duty as a symbol of the state and...

'Beautiful Harmony' Era Dawns in Japan

In silent ceremony, Naruhito receives imperial sword

(Newser) - Following in the footstops of his father Akihito in 1989 and grandfather Hirohito in 1926, Naruhito ascended to Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday. The 59-year-old—who officially became Emperor Naruhito at midnight Tuesday after his father's abdication —took possession of the imperial sword and jewel in a...

Japanese Princess 'Insecure' About Becoming Empress

Masako opens up about stress-related condition

(Newser) - Japan's Crown Princess Masako has suffered from a stress-related disorder for years, and she admits she's feeling a little nervous about starting her new job as empress in the world's oldest continuous monarchy. In a statement released to mark her 55th birthday, the princess said she is...

Japan Has Issue With Word Used to Describe Princess' Fiancé

Imperial Household Agency asked Fordham to amend a press release

(Newser) - One word in a press release put out by Fordham University Law School in New York has attracted international attention—attention strong enough to get Fordham to tweak the release. The egregious word? "Fiancé." It was written in reference to Kei Komuro, who is set to begin studying...

Japanese Princess Delays Wedding, Cites 'Immaturity'

Mako's much anticipated wedding to a commoner gets pushed back to at least 2020

(Newser) - Japan's Princess Mako will remain a princess a little longer: The emperor's granddaughter, who announced last year that she planned to marry a commoner, is delaying that union, reports Reuters . Unlike certain other royals planning to marry commoners , Mako must rescind her royal status when she marries Kei...

Japan Emperor Will Be First to Abdicate in 200 Years

Emperor Akihito will step down on April 30, 2019

(Newser) - Japan's much admired Emperor Akihito is set to abdicate on April 30, 2019, at age 85 in the first such departure from the Chrysanthemum Throne in about 200 years, the government said Friday. Akihito's elder son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the throne a day later, beginning a...

Princess Leaves School Over Bullying

8-year-old Japanese royal afraid; palace wants problem fixed

(Newser) - Japan’s Princess Aiko has been out of school since Tuesday, after complaining that older boys have been bullying her. The 8-year-old became frightened and returned home in a state of anxiety, complaining of a stomachache. The palace asked the school to look into it. The school discovered that she...

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