Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attended a tree-planting ceremony in Yokohama on Sunday, April 19, 2009. It was the first time in 15 months that the princess has been outside Tokyo for an official reason.

The tree planting was held at the Yokohama Animal Forest Park, as part of a national conservation event. Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako each planted a memorial cherry tree.

Afterwards, the royal couple watch guide dogs being trained at the training center of the Japan Guide Dog Association.

I’m so glad to see Princess Masako going about her official duties like this. She especially looks radiant and happy in these photos. Lovely!

Image: Newscom

A exhibit of photographs marking the 50th anniversary of Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are displayed at a department store in Tokyo.

The royals viewed the collection as part of the joint celebration of their golden wedding anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the emperor’s ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne. Also in the exhibit, protected behind glass, was the carriage used for the wedding parade.

What a treat it must be for the emperor and empress to see these photos from 50 years ago, and to relive the memories of their special day.

Image: Newscom

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko listen to a performance by the Imperial Guard music band at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 10, 2009.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary today, April 10, 2009 in Tokyo.

In a press conference earlier this week, Emperor Akihito expressed his appreciation of his wife for her understanding of his position and royal duties, and her devotion to their family.

‘‘She has truly made great efforts which she has continued to make right up to this very day. She has truly made great efforts over these fifty years,’’ he told reporters.

The royals were also asked about the marriage proposal that happened 50 years ago. The emperor described having discussed it with the empress many times before she said yes. The empress said that she could no longer remember the ‘exact words’.

The Japanese media has praised the royals for leading the world’s oldest monarchy and the country to meet the challenges of modern times.

via: Japan Today; Image: Newscom

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Japan’s Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace on February 17, 2009.

Japan’s Empress Michiko warmly greeted former U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton upon the latter’s arrival at the Imperial Palace on February 17, 2009. Clinton is in Tokyo as part of her first foreign tour as Secretary of State under the Obama administration.

Empress Michiko had first met Clinton in 1994, while Bill Clinton was president, during a visit to the White House with Emperor Akihito. They met again when the Clintons visited Japan in 1996.

Clinton and the Empress had an hour-long tea at the imperial residence, before the former met students and had dinner with Prime Minister Taro Aso. Clinton will also visit Indonesia, South Korea and China as part of her tour.

via RoyalBlognl; Image: Newscom

Prince Naruhito in Hoi An, Vietnam on February 11, 2009.

Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito was welcomed by Vietnam’s President Nguyen Minh Triet on February 10, 2009. The prince is on a week-long official visit marking 35 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. It was the prince’s first visit to Vietnam.

Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan was also at the welcoming ceremony. Prince Naruhito later visited a primary school for visually impaired children and was the guest of honor at a banquet hosted by Vice President Doan.

On February 11, Prince Naruhito toured the town of Hoi An, which also known as the Ancient City of Vietnam. Hoi An, an active commercial port in the 16th and 17th centuries, has preserved a lot of its ancient architecture. No doubt Prince Naruhito wanted to preserve his impressions of the trip; he is seen toting his own camera as he walked the streets of Hoi An.

source: Look at Vietnam; Image: Newscom

Japan’s Prince Naruhito speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on February 5, 2009.

In a press conference ahead of his visit to Vietnam, Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito asked for understanding of his wife Princess Masako’s health problems. Princess Masako has been suffering from mental illness for years. Her condition is widely believed to be depression brought about by the stress of adjusting to life in the Imperial Palace.

The request from Prince Naruhito came on the heels of the decision for Emperor Akihito to cut back on his public engagements. Emperor Akihito, 74, has had his own health issues, including prostrate cancer surgery in 2003. There have been expectations that the crown prince and crown princess will take up the public visits and official meetings that the emperor and Empress Michiko can no longer attend to. It seems that it is just these very expectations that Prince Naruhito addressed in his recent meeting with the Japanese press.

"Masako is doing her best to be able to resume as many official duties as possible, so I would like to ask you to watch over her with kindness and take a long-term view,"

With these words, it doesn’t seem that Princess Masako will be much involved in the Japanese royal family’s public life anytime soon. For one, she will not be accompanying Prince Naruhito on his trip to Vietnam on February 9-15, 2009. Merry Royals continues to wish Princess Masako a full recovery from her illness.

source: Reuters; Image: Newscom

Emperor Akihito’s health issues has forced Japan’s Imperial Palace to cut back on his public comments.

The 75-year-old monarch will give fewer speeches, meet fewer dignitaries and generally reduce the official duties that he will carry out this year. His wife, Empress Michiko, 74, will also have a lighter schedule to reflect the emperor’s.

No word has been given about whether the duties will be passed on to Emperor Akihito’s son Crown Prince Naruhito.

While Prince Naruhito continues his royal duties, his wife, Crown Princess Masako, has not appeared much in public in the past years. Princess Masako has her own stress-related health issues, believed to be brought on by the strict regulations upon life in the Imperial Palace. However, the Crown Princess is said to be on the slow road to recovery. She was present at the traditional New Year appearance of the Imperial Family earlier this month.

via: Reuters; Image: Newscom

From left: King Juan Carlos, Emperor Akihito, Queen Sofia and Empress Michiko at the welcome ceremony on November 10, 2008.

Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia arrived in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on November 9, 2008 for a state visit to Japan. That night, they attended a reception party at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.

The Spanish royals were official welcomed by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace on November 10, 2008. If you’re confused about the time, just remember that Japan is ahead of us (in the U.S.) by several hours.

The last time the Spanish royals were in Japan was in 1998, for the opening ceremony of the Nagano Olympics. They will stay until November 14, 2008 for this visit.

More photos of the arrival at the airport from Yahoo; and the Nov. 9 reception from Zimbio.

image credit: Newscom