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July 24, 2026
 

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IMPERIAL FAMILY

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other royal family members attend the spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo in April 2025.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 22, 2026
Japan¡¯s imperial succession and the invention of tradition
The historical record is clear: The absolute prohibition on female monarchs is not timeless. It is a surprisingly modern invention.
Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Paraguay to mark 90th anniversary of Japanese migration to the South American country.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 21, 2026
Japan crown prince and crown princess to visit Paraguay in August
The couple plan to meet with the Paraguayan president as well as Japanese immigrants living in the country and their descendants.
Crown Princess Kiko attends a charity concert supporting patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, a government-designated intractable disease, and their families in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 21, 2026
Crown Princess Kiko attends charity concert
The concert was hosted by an association of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients, partly to help people deepen understanding of the disease.
Imperial family members attend the spring garden party in April. Under the revised imperial house law, female members of the imperial family will be able to remain within the institution after marriage.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 19, 2026
After years, Takaichi achieves Imperial House Law revision by force of numbers
The common male ancestor of the former 11 imperial family branches and the current emperor goes back about 600 years.
Emperor Naruhito (top third right) appears with Empress Masako (second right), their daughter Princess Aiko (right), Crown Prince Akishino (third left, Crown Princess Kiko (seconf left) and their daughter Princess Kako (left) on the balcony of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 18, 2026
U.N. hails women¡¯s rights in response to Japan¡¯s revision of Imperial House Law
The revised law maintains the rule limiting the right of succession to the throne to male members in the male line.
A package of bills on the imperial family clears the Upper House plenary session on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 17, 2026
Bills to preserve imperial family clear Upper House
They pave the way for the first major revision of the Imperial House Law since its establishment in 1947.
Emperor Naruhito and other members of the imperial family wave to well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in February.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 16, 2026
39% support imperial succession by sons of adoptees: poll
Meanwhile, 26.9% voiced opposition to the proposal, while 33.6% said neither or that they are undecided.
Centrist Reform Alliance leader Junya Ogawa says a difference of opinion on the royals bill among three opposition parties won't have a large impact on ongoing merger talks between them.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jul 16, 2026
CDP and CRA¡¯s opposing stances on imperial family bills cloud prospect for merger
The CDP opposes a clause that allows future male offspring of newly reinstated members of the imperial family to become heirs.
The Lower House plenary session, which passed legislation on the dwindling number of imperial family members on Friday
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 10, 2026
Bills on preservation of imperial family pass Lower House
The pieces of legislation will now be deliberated in the Upper House, which is expected to clear them by the end of the current session of parliament.
Members of Japan's imperial family during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Jan. 2
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 8, 2026
Imperial family bill may clear Lower House as early as Friday
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party said it would agree to hold intensive discussions at the Budget Committee of the Diet¡¯s lower chamber, with the prime minister in attendance.
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, said in a 2022 news conference upon coming of age that she hopes to ¡°spend a long time together¡± with her parents.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Jul 3, 2026
Japan¡¯s princesses face life-altering legal revisions
After decades of discussion over their future, the princesses may soon have the option to either leave or remain in the imperial family.
Newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito takes part in a ritual at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in May 2019, in which imperial envoys are dispatched to the Ise Grand Shrine and imperial mausoleums.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jul 3, 2026
Tradition vs. change: Japan¡¯s imperial succession debate intensifies
For decades, the government has postponed action. This week, however, Prime Minister Takaichi¡¯s administration submitted a bill to the Diet to revise the Imperial House Law.
LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki before a meeting with the Centrist Reform Alliance on Thursday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jul 2, 2026
LDP to halt debate on JIP priorities to focus on imperial family bill
The LDP is ready to halt debate on controversial bills while discussions on proposed Imperial House Law revisions are underway, LDP Secretary-General Shunichi Suzuki has said.
Asahiro Kuni, a member of a former branch of the imperial family, says no one should be forced to be adopted into the imperial family.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 2, 2026
Former imperial family member views Japan¡¯s adoption plan as ¡®unrealistic¡¯
The 81-year-old cousin of Emperor Emeritus Akihito said he believes no one should be ¡°forced¡± to be adopted and that he hopes the system will ¡°respect the wishes of individuals.¡±
Revisions to the laws meant to tackle the imperial family's dwindling numbers included clauses that throw succession rules into question.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 1, 2026
Law revisions regarding imperial family invite controversy about succession
Revisions to the laws meant to tackle the imperial family¡¯s dwindling numbers included clauses that throw succession rules into question.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, seen with other imperial family members, walk down a hill to greet guests during a spring garden party at the Akasaka Palace's imperial garden in Tokyo in April.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 30, 2026
Japan adopts bill to revise Imperial House Law
The government aims to enact the bill during the ongoing Diet session, currently scheduled to end on July 17.
The ruling party lawmaker Hirofumi Nakasone said on Sunday that no one would marry Princess Aiko if she ascended the imperial throne while unmarried, prompting criticism.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 30, 2026
LDP¡¯s Hirofumi Nakasone regrets remark about Princess Aiko
In a speech in Toyama Prefecture on Sunday, the lawmaker added that no one would marry the princess if she were to succeed to the throne while unmarried.
Emperor Naruhito visits KU Leuven's library with Belgian King Philippe in the city of Leuven on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 25, 2026
Emperor thanks Netherlands and Belgium for warm welcome
The imperial couple¡¯s visit included trips to a monument to the war dead in Amsterdam and a semiconductor research center in Belgium.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako sign the guest book at the Royal Palace, accompanied by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, in Brussels, on Tuesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Emperor Naruhito wishes for lasting friendship at Belgian banquet
The event comes as the two countries mark 160 years of diplomatic ties.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako lay a wreath at the National Monument at Dam Square in Amsterdam on June 17, as part of a three-day visit to the Netherlands.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 23, 2026
Nagasaki hibakusha recalls wartime conversations with Dutch prisoner of war
Contact with foreigners was prohibited at the time, but Shohei Tsuiki wanted to try out the English he had started learning.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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