Tag - family

 
 

FAMILY

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Toshihiro Kitamura said measures against U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women "will show the government's position more clearly," in relation to the Imperial House Law.
JAPAN
Jan 30, 2025
Japan hits back at U.N. panel over imperial law review recommendation
The law allows only male descendants from the paternal line of the imperial family to become emperor.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attends an ordinary session of parliament along with his Cabinet ministers on Friday. Ishiba has toned down his stance on legally allowing married couples to have separate surnames.
JAPAN / Politics / FOCUS
Jan 28, 2025
Ishiba tones down stance on dual-surname debate
While previously being all in favor of a dual-surname system, the prime minister has recently suggested considering a "compromise" of legally expanding the use of maiden names.
A woman walks past a mural adorning a family clinic in Nairobi in 2017.
WORLD / Society
Jan 28, 2025
Trump 2.0 instills fear in African abortion activists
Trump has reinstated an anti-abortion pact that cuts off U.S. funds to foreign charities that provide or promote abortions.
Imperial family members wave to well-wishers during a public appearance in Tokyo on Jan. 2.
JAPAN / Politics
Jan 23, 2025
Parliament to resume discussions over imperial family succession this month
The two chambers of parliament plan to resume talks Jan. 31 on measures to secure a sufficient number of imperial family members.
Explosions rock the shore of Iwo Jima during a pre-landing bombardment on Feb. 19, 1945, as seen from a USS Sanborn (APA-193) landing craft.
JAPAN
Jan 23, 2025
Imperial couple considering visit to Iwo Jima
The Imperial Household Agency is considering a visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the island of Iwo Jima in April to pay respects to soldiers killed in World War II.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko take part in the New Year's poetry reading ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Wednesday.
JAPAN
Jan 22, 2025
Princess Aiko attends New Year poetry event for first time
Poems written by imperial family members and guests were recited in a traditional style at the ceremony in the palace's Matsu-no-Ma state room.
Epidurals during childbirth have long been uncommon in Japan, though they have been growing more popular in recent years.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 14, 2025
Tokyo plans to subsidize epidurals, but are hospitals ready?
If all goes to plan, Tokyo will be the first to offer prefecture-level financial support for epidurals.
A subsidy for epidural childbirths was one of Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike's campaign promises when she ran for her position last year.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 7, 2025
Tokyo looks to ease the pain — both physical and financial — of childbirth
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is looking to begin offering a subsidy for epidural childbirths in fiscal 2025.
A birth notification document issued by Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Family registers, which record and certify citizens' familial relationships from birth to death, currently do not include the phonetic readings of names.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 2, 2025
Family registers to incorporate phonetic readings of names from end-May
Citizens who wish to register readings that differ from those listed on certificates of residence must notify municipal governments within a year.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a New Year ceremony at the Imperial Palace on Wednesday.
JAPAN / Society
Jan 2, 2025
Emperor wishes for peaceful year for those affected by disaster
Emperor Naruhito expressed his wish on Thursday for a peaceful year for people affected by disasters, following a strong earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula a year ago.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako pose for a photo at the Imperial Palace Small Hall in Tokyo on November.
JAPAN
Jan 1, 2025
Emperor prays for world peace in New Year's message
Emperor Naruhito stressed the "importance of people recognizing their differences and working hand in hand to realize a peaceful world."
Emperor Naruhito (right) and Empress Masako (center) visit the disaster-hit city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Dec. 17 along with Wajima Mayor Shigeru Sakaguchi.
JAPAN
Dec 30, 2024
Emperor and empress eye regional visits to mark 80th war anniversary
The emperor and empress may travel to Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa prefectures to meet with people involved in preserving the memory of the war.
As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.
JAPAN / Society
Dec 29, 2024
Japanese Princess Kako turns 30
As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo prior to the wake of Princess Yuriko on Nov. 24. The emperor emeritus was deeply sorrowful over the death of his aunt, aides said.
JAPAN
Dec 23, 2024
Emperor Emeritus Akihito turns 91
The emperor emeritus spends his days caring for Empress Emerita Michiko who broke her right thigh bone in October.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with evacuated people at Wajima Junior High School in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
JAPAN
Dec 18, 2024
Emperor and Empress mourn flood victims in Wajima
Four people were killed in the September floods, including a 14-year-old junior high school student.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with winners of the Praemium Imperiale at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 20. The imperial couple will attend a memorial ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake in January.
JAPAN
Dec 16, 2024
Emperor and empress to attend Hanshin Quake Memorial on anniversary
The imperial couple will be briefed by Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito on the reconstruction situation and visit the Hyogo Prefectural Hyogo-no-Tsu Museum.
A view of a damaged house following a landslide and an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Jan. 7.
JAPAN
Dec 13, 2024
Japan's emperor and empress to visit disaster-hit Noto for third time
The imperial couple are concerned about those living on the Noto Peninsula hit by the two disasters, aides have said.
Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, is currently a third-year student at the University of Tsukuba’s affiliated high school.
JAPAN
Dec 11, 2024
Prince Hisahito to enroll at University of Tsukuba
The 18-year-old, who is a student at the university’s affiliated high school, secured admission through a recommendation-based exam.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visit Merton College in Oxford, during their state visit to the United Kingdom in June.
JAPAN
Dec 9, 2024
Empress Masako marks 61st birthday
The empress said that thoughts of people affected by disasters, including the massive Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake, continue to weigh on her mind.
Crown Prince Akishino gives a speech at an event in Istanbul on Thursday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.
JAPAN
Dec 8, 2024
Japan's crown prince and crown princess return from visit to Turkey
On Thursday, the couple attended a ceremony in Istanbul to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.

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Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan