Emperor and Empress take in new year lectures given by academics

Japan Times -- Jan 11

The Kosho Hajime new year lecture event, in which leading experts from the academic community deliver lectures to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, was held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday.

They were joined by other members of the Imperial family, including Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, as well as Prince Akishino and his wife, Princess Kiko.

It was the first time in 15 years for the Crown Princess, who has long struggled with depression, to attend the event.

Kazui Tashiro, a 71-year-old professor emeritus at Keio University, gave a lecture on historical trade between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, using written records from the Edo Period (1603 to 1868).