Emperor Akihito

Nostalgia, anticipation high in Japan as nation awaits official announcement of Emperor Naruhito's era name

An era name is an inextricable part of public life and shared memory in Japan. A lot of what happens in the years to come — births, deaths, natural disasters, cultural and social phenomena, election glory and political scandal — will be connected to the era name.

Japan envoy calls India 'most essential partner' at the centre of Tokyo's Indo-Pacific strategy

India is an obvious, essential and the most reliable partner for Japan to work with and the country places it at the center of its Indo-Pacific strategy, Japanese envoy to India Kenji Hiramastsu said on Thursday

Japan floods: Death toll rises to 15, over 600 still stranded as rescue efforts continue

The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in southern Japan has risen to 15 as rescuers continued work to bring out isolated survivors

Emperor Akihito to be first monarch to abdicate in 200 years after Japan Parliament passes law

Japan's parliament has passed a law allowing Emperor Akihito to become the first monarch to abdicate in 200 years.

Japan's Emperor Akihito to step down as cabinet approves bill allowing abdication

The Japanese government approved a one-off bill allowing ageing Emperor Akihito to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne, in the first such abdication in two centuries.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants US troops out in next two years

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he wants US troops out of his country in the next two years and is willing to scrap defence pacts with longtime ally Washington if necessary.

Naruhito, in line to Japan's Chrysanthemum throne, shares father Akihito's quiet demeanour

Like his father, the son, Naruhito, is a soft-spoken and smiling man. A bit stocky at 56, he's married to a Harvard-educated former diplomat, Masako, who has been ill for more than a decade and seldom appears in public.

Japan's emperor Akihito hints at abdication, says may be 'difficult' to fulfill duties

Japanese Emperor Akihito on Monday said that he is concerned his weakening health may make it hard to fulfill his duties, in a speech seen as signalling a possible future abdication.

Explosion rocks Japan's contentious Yasukuni shrine for war victims in Tokyo; none reported injured

An explosion today damaged a public restroom at a controversial shrine in Tokyo that honors Japanese war dead, with police suspecting foul play. No one was injured.

PM to start Japan visit on 31 August

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had paid a six-day visit to India from 30 November last year, 53 years after their trip to India as Crown Prince and Crown Princess.