Society | Dec 11

Emperor's first New Year address to be by video due to pandemic

Dec 11 (Japan Times) - Emperor Naruhito will make his New Year address by video message after a decision last month to cancel his annual greeting event due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Imperial Household Agency said Thursday.

It will be the first video message released by the emperor since he ascended the throne in May last year following the abdication of his father, former Emperor Akihito.

In November, the agency said it had decided to call off the emperor’s New Year event in January since it would draw into confined spaces huge crowds of people, many of them expected to be older and who would face a higher risk of contracting a severe form of the COVID-19 illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

MORE Society NEWS

"Harajuku Pop Princess" Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Announces First Pregnancy

Pop singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has taken to social media to share the excitement of her first pregnancy.

Bloodstains in Car Linked to Suspect in Brutal Riverside Murder Case

Bloodstains have been found inside a car belonging to a 25-year-old man arrested over last week's discovery of two burnt bodies on a riverside north of Tokyo, investigative sources said Monday. (Kyodo)

"Riri-chan" Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison

The Nagoya District Court delivered a severe sentence on Monday to Mai Watanabe, 25, who operated under the alias "Itadakijoshi Riri-chan (Riri the sugar baby)" and was charged with fraudulently obtaining cash from men. She has been sentenced to nine years in prison and fined 8 million yen.

< 2 3 4 5 >

Former Host Pleads Guilty to Receiving 25 Million Yen from "Riri-chan"

A former host admitted to knowingly receiving approximately 25 million yen that had been deceitfully obtained by convicted scammer "Riri-chan," in a trial held on April 23.

Sakura Tree Collapses on Teacher at Kyoto Tourist Spot

A cherry tree located at one of Kyoto's busiest pedestrian streets, Sanneizaka, a main pathway to Kiyomizu Temple, suddenly fell at 11:45 AM on Tuesday, trapping a school teacher beneath.

Princess Aiko Attends Her First Spring Garden Party

The biannual Spring Garden Party, hosted by the Emperor and Empress, took place at Tokyo's Akasaka Imperial Garden on Tuesday, with Princess Aiko gracing the event, warmly engaging with the guests.

Tsukiji Market Site to Transform into 50,000-Seat Stadium

The site of the former Tsukiji Market is set for a major transformation, including a stadium with a capacity of 50,000 people and a launch pad for flying cars.