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

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