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by Richard CARTER Agence France Presse TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan’s new emperor Naruhito will on Wednesday formally take over the Chrysanthemum Throne following his father’s historic abdication from the world’s oldest monarchy that swept in a new imperial era. The 59-year-old will be presented with the sacred imperial treasures of a sword and a jewel, as well as the seals of state, at a solemn ceremony in the Room of Pine in the […]
(Eagle News) – The Philippines extended its “deepest gratitude” to the outgoing Emperor Akihito of Japan for his “invaluable role in advocating peace” and “fostering goodwill and friendship between the Philippines and Japan” throughout his reign. The message was extended by the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the abdication of His Majesty Emperor Akihito. The DFA said that during Emperor Akihito’s 30-year reign, the friendly relations between […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Outgoing Japanese emperor Akihito on Tuesday performed the main ritual to hand over the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito — Japan’s first abdication in more than two centuries. Akihito technically remains emperor until the stroke of midnight when the country ushers in the new imperial era of Reiwa, or “beautiful harmony”, that will last as long as Naruhito reigns. In a brief speech, the 85-year-old said he had spent […]
TOKYO, April 30, 2019 (AFP) – Draped in ornate golden-brown robes and wearing a towering black hat, Japan’s Emperor Akihito on Tuesday kicked off ceremonies for his abdication, the first in 200 years for the world’s oldest monarchy. Akihito is handing over the Chrysanthemum Throne to his eldest son, 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, in a series of solemn rituals that also usher in the new imperial era named “Reiwa” — meaning beautiful harmony — that […]
by Hiroshi HIYAMA Japan’s outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. Akihito has broken new ground with everything from his decision to marry for love to his outspoken calls for peace and expressions of regret over Japan’s wartime role. His approach has at times unsettled those who view the emperor as a divine priest meant to inspire awe, […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japan on Saturday kicked off an unprecedented 10-day holiday, including celebration days for the imperial transition, as airports were packed with record travellers while people queued at teller machines in the cash-dominated nation. Japan is preparing for the abdication of Emperor Akihito on Tuesday the day before Akihito’s eldest son, 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, takes the throne. The long holiday for the famously hard-working Japanese combines two celebration days with […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — Japanese scientists have succeeded in creating what they called the first-ever artificial crater on an asteroid, a step towards shedding light on how the solar system evolved, the country’s space agency said Thursday. The announcement comes after the Hayabusa2 probe fired an explosive device at the Ryugu asteroid early this month to blast a crater in the surface and scoop up material, aiming to reveal more about the origins of life […]
by Richard CARTER TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A Japanese court granted Carlos Ghosn bail Thursday, meaning the former Nissan boss could soon walk out of his Tokyo detention center to prepare his defense against multiple charges of financial misconduct. The Tokyo District Court set bail at 500 million yen ($4.5 million) as the 65-year-old auto sector legend faces four charges ranging from concealing part of his salary from shareholders to syphoning off Nissan funds for […]
HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Asian markets fluctuated Wednesday following a record-breaking close on Wall Street that was fuelled by strong earnings from US big-hitters. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq scaled all-time highs while the Dow came close after a string of better-than-forecast results from the likes of Coca-Cola, Twitter and Lockheed Martin added to a raft of other recent reports that suggest the economy is in rude health. Markets welcomed “a really great string […]
TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — A blind Japanese sailor completed his non-stop Pacific voyage on Saturday, local media reported, becoming the first sightless person on record to navigate a vessel across the vast ocean. Mitsuhiro Iwamoto arrived at port in Fukushima in his 12-meter (40-foot) sailboat on Saturday morning, around two months after he left California. Iwamoto, a 52-year-old San Diego resident, sailed from the US city on February 24 with Doug Smith, an American navigator […]
Tokyo, Japan (AFP) — The world’s smallest baby boy, who was born in October in Japan weighing as much as an apple, is now ready for the outside world, his doctor said Friday. Ryusuke Sekiya was delivered via emergency Caesarean section, after 24 weeks and five days of pregnancy as his mother Toshiko experienced hypertension. At 258 grams (9.1 ounces) he was even lighter than the previous record holder, another Japanese boy who weighed just […]
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Taiwan on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said, shaking buildings and disrupting traffic. In the capital Taipei, highrises swayed while some panicked schoolchildren fled their classrooms in eastern Yilan county, according to reports. The quake was felt across the island and a highway connecting Yilan and Hualien was shut down due to falling rocks, authorities said. An official at the Hualien county fire department told AFP that two people, including […]
