Abdication: The End of the Heisei Era

Today marks the end of the Heisei Era. The 85-year-old Emperor Akihito has abdicated the  Chrysanthemum Throne in the Kenji to Shokei no gi ceremony thus marking the end of his peaceful thirty-year reign. We will miss this kind benevolent Emperor who had sought to heal the wounds of war committed in his father's name. His life's mission near complete, he had visited many if not most of the countries and battlefields to pray for Japan's fallen and for Japan's victims of war. His reign is marked as an era of Peace for Japan. It is understandable and most reasonable for him to retire to become Emperor Emeritus given his advanced age. Now in his twilight years, he passes on the torch to Crown Prince Naruhito who will become the new Reiwa Emperor in an era named for orderly peace and harmony. We at American Mishima wish The Heisei Emperor and Empress Michiko a peaceful retirement and joy in their golden years. We would like to thank the Heisei Emperor for all his kindness and efforts to bring about peace during his reign. He will be missed.

Until the Very End: Heisei Emperor Visits Memorial for Civilian Sailors Lost During War

Seen here in this Mainichi.JP photo are the outgoing Imperial couple Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko paying their respects to a Memorial dedicated to the 60,000 civilian sailors who were pressed into service by the Imperial Japanese Army during WWII. The Heisei Emperor who Abdicates this April arrived to present prayers and white chrysanthemums to offer these lost sailors of which 30,000 of them were in their teens. With the Combined Fleet on the run after the Battle of Midway, there were few naval vessels to protect these civilian ships which were forced to carry supplies and personnel. This is the Imperial couple's eighth visit to the memorial since it was erected in 1971. Dutiful until the end, the Heisei Emperor has worked tirelessly to heal the wounds of the Showa Era and has never wavered. It is said that in a press conference in December 2015 he said this: "In those days, Japan lacked command of the air, and no battleships were available to escort the transport vessels. It gives me great pain to think of the feelings of those sailors who were forced to engage in such transport operations under those conditions." We at American Mishima will miss this kind gentile Emperor. We thank him and Empress Michiko for their lifetime efforts to promote peace.

A Final New Years Greeting for the Heisei Era

Seen here in this widely circulated REUTERS/Issei Kato photo is Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wishing well-wishers his final New Years address. Japanese media reports that up to 72,000 people went to go see the soft-spoken emperor who abdicates the chrysanthemum throne this April making way for Crown Prince Naruhito to become the new Emperor for this new Era. The 85-year-old emperor thanked the crowds who chanted Banzai saying: "It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan." 

We will miss the Heisei Emperor. He had spent his entire reign seeking peace and the healing of old wounds caused during the reign of his father Emperor Hirohito who reigned during Japan's military expansionist era that brought about the tragedy of WWII. We at American Mishima wish the Imperial Family, the People of Japan and our readers a most happy 2019 New Year of the Boar. 

New Year Begins As Era Nears End

あけまして おめでとう ございます!

A New Year Begins as the sun begins to set on the Heisei Era. It was good to see Emperor Akihito greet the throngs of crowds that greet him every New Years Day once more. Next year will be his last appearence at the balcony of the Imperial Palace as the troch will be passed to Crown Prince Naruhito will become Emperor after the Abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne April 30th, 2019. Many will have memories to share and thoughts to convey on this upcoming event. An event that has not happened in over 200 years. For us, we think of how we were born in the Showa Era and our children in the Heisei Era. We really admired Emperor Akihito and appreciated his yearly New Years Greetings. We will miss him as in less than two years time we will greet a New Emperor and a New Era. We wish the Emperor & Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, and the rest of the Imperial Family and all citizens of Japan a Happy New Years!

Heisei Era Close Draws Near As Abdication Date Set

Every monarch has his reign in the sun and for Japan's 83 year old Heisei Emperor Akihito is no exception. In recent years the rigourous pace of his public duties have become harder to fullfill due to his advanced age. Thus by his own requests and an act of the Japanese Diet, the Imperial Household Agency has announced that Emperor Akihito will abdicate from the Chrysanthemum Throne April 30th, 2019. It is the first time in over 200 years that a Japanese Emperor has chosen to abdicate. Emperor Akihito will be remembered as a gentle monarch who sought to heal the wounds of WWII and in recent times be a voice of comfort to many in Japan's most recent disasters. He has reigned for over three decades since 1989 and will be succeded by his eldest son, 57 year old Crown Prince Naruhito. We at American Mishima wish Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko a peaceful retirement in the twilight of thier years. They will be missed. 

Former Princess Becomes Supreme Priestess at Ise Jingu Shrine

Mrs. Sayoku Kuroda formerly known as Princess Nori (daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko) is said to have assumed to post of Supreme Priestess at the Ise Shrine in Japan this past Monday. She replaces the 86 year old sister of Emperor Akihito Atsuko Ikeda who had held the position for the last 29 years. This is an important position that serves as the representative for the emperor. 

We at American Mishima wish her great success.

Heisei Emperor's Vietnam Visit

This past Tuesday saw the arrival of Emperor Akihito & Empress Michiko in Vietnam. He is the first Japanese Emperor to visit there since the end of the Japanese Occupation during WWII. It has been the mission of the Emperor to visit many of the countries Japan once occupied to help heal old wounds and pray for both Japan's war dead as well as for those who fought against them in hopes of promoting lasting peace. What makes this trip so significant is one of purposes of this visit relating to WWII. It is said that at war's end in 1945 that some 700 Japanese soldiers chose to remain in Vietnam to stay with their Vietnamese wives and families. The Emperor is said to meet with a dozen or so surviving widows of those Japanese Soldiers. History records that when the French returned to Vietnam that many of these former IJA soldiers helped the Viet Minh fight the French offering their military expertise. By the time Communist forces of Ho Chi Minh defeated the French in 1954, half of those Japanese Soldiers died from fighting or illness. Another group of 71 left Vietnam without their families. By 1960, all former remaining IJA soldiers were forced to leave Vietnam. This is a curious story that we wish we could find more information for but happy to share this story here. We at American Mishima continue to wish the Emperor success in his enduring peace mission so that all souls lost from the Showa Era and the war that consumed is be at peace.

2017 New Years Greetings

Happy New Years everyone! As per our New Years tradition, we at American Mishima feature a photo of the Japanese Heisei Emperor delivering his New Years Greeting from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. As seen in the photo Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are seen greeting the Japanese nation. The Imperial Household Agency reports that some 58,600 people were present many of which waving small Japanese flags were there to raise their arms and shout "Banzai" which in this context translates to "Long Life." We are particularly happy to see this and while the Heisei Emperor is pushing to abdicate the throne due to his advanced age, recent prostate cancer issues, and heart problems. We look forward to his continued health & happiness and warm New Years Greetings to both the Japanese people and the world at large. あけまして おめでとう ございます! ばんざい! ばんざい! ばんざい!

Heisei Emperor Greets New Years Well Wishers

Seen here are photos first published in Japan Today of His Majesty Emperor Akihito as he greets the throngs of well wishers who annually flock to the Imperial Palace to catch a glimpse of their symbolic monarch who to this day at age 82 remains very popular with the Japanese People. Please enjoy!

 

 Thousands make this annual trek to the Imperial Palace on New Years. 

 Seen here is both the Emperor and Empress along with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess as well as other members of the Royal Family.

 

We at American Mishima wish Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as well as the rest of the Royal family and the People of Japan a very Happy New Years!

 

Heisei Emperor's New Year Message

As been our tradition here on American Mishima, we like to post HRM Emperor Akihito's New Year's address to Japan and to the world. Here is his 2016 New Years Message:

"As last year was the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, it was a year in which many of us spent much time thinking about the war. In welcoming the new year, I would like to renew my prayer for peace both for our country and our people.

It will soon be five years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it pains me to think that there are still people who cannot return to the places they used to live and those who must endure the hardships of living in temporary housing. I hope that these people will take good care of their health through the cold winter, and that further progress will be made in the recovery of the afflicted areas.

Our country Japan is indeed blessed with beautiful nature, but at the same time, we are prone to natural disasters. It is my sincere hope that each and every Japanese cultivate an awareness of disaster prevention and continue to look out for each other and be prepared to protect themselves at all times.

May the new year bring happiness to the people of our country and the people around the world."

Heisei Emperor's 82nd Birthday

Today is Tennō Tanjōbi - Emperor Akihito's 82nd birthday. The Heisei Emperor seen here at the Imperial Palace with Empress Michiko was born on this day in 1933. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 7 January 1989. We at American Mishima wish him a long and continued happy reign. 

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Seen here is the His Magesty Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko outside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Heisei Emperor Honors War Dead

Seen here from earlier this month, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko laid wreaths to both Japanese and American war dead on the island of Peleliu. This one small island in the Pacific was the scene of horrific battles in which over 10,000 Japanese Soldiers and some 1500 Americans were killed. Considering how many deaths on Peleliu were done in the Showa Emperor's name, it is fitting that the current Heisei Emperor pay his respects to those lost so long ago. We at American Mishima appreciate and respect this humble gesture and hope that our two great nations which today are close allies and friends never go to war against each other ever again. 

New Years Greetings

You know it's just not New Years around here without an appearance by the reigning Heisei Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko marking this 27th year of their reign on the Chrysanthemum Throne. Some 81,000 visitors flocked to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to see the Emperor and the Imperial Family make their annual New Years appearance from their balcony to the throngs of visiting well wishers. We at American Mishima wish them a Happy New Years and long may they continue to reign.

Emperor Turns 81

We at American Mishima would like to wish the Heisei Emperor a happy 81st birthday.

Happy New Years!

As seen on JapanToday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers from a balcony during a New Year’s public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.We'd never start the New Years without them. From all of us at American Mishima to all of you: Happy Year of the Horse!

Happy New Years 2013!

Happy New Years! 平成25 巳年 (Mi-nen) The Year of the Snake is upon us. And with it new opportunities. As this being Heisei 25 American Mishima will continue to Honor Emperor Akihito and the Imperial Family with the first photo of the year. We hope you have all had a happy new years celebration and continue to support American Mishima in 2013. あけましておめでとう ございます!

Japan's Emperor & Empress: Then and Now

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Wedding day April 10th, 1959.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Her Imperial Majesty's
78th birthday. October 20th, 2012.

Long may they Reign!