This Moment in History: USS Hornet

77 years ago, the USS Hornet (CV-8) seen here in this colorized photo carrying the B-25 Doolittle Raiders set out to sea to deliver America's retaliatory strike against the Japanese main islands in WWII to avenge the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Welcome to the Fleet: Japan Commissions New Soryu-Class Submarine

This week, Japan's JMSDF welcomed the newest addition to its submarine fleet. The 84-meter long diesel powered JS Shōryū was commissioned this month. This is the tenth Soryu-Class Submarine and the 28th submarine built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries since WWII.

The Line of Succession

Seen here is Prince Akishino of Japan with his son Prince Hisahito and wife Princess Kiko at their son's graduation from a prestigious primary school in Tokyo. Twelve-year-old Prince Hisahito will become second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father Prince Fumihito becomes first in line after Emperor Akihito abdicates and Crown Prince Naruhito becomes Emperor. With so few male heirs in the Imperial Family, Japan will look to reconsider the roles of the Imperial Princesses in the future lines of succession. This shall be interesting to see how they adapt. We wish the Imperial Family a smooth transition into their new roles.

The Process of Abdication

As the Heisei Era draws to a close, Emperor Akihito performs a series of Shinto rituals at three Imperial Sanctuaries on the Imperial Palace grounds in preparation of his Abdication. As reported by NHK, the first ceremony was performed at the main shrine Kashikodokoro. Emperor Akihito bowed and read an ancient-worded script to report his abdication and its date to Imperial ancestor Amaterasu-Omikami, the sun goddess, who is enshrined there. The Imperial Household Agency says he will also report his abdication at the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu in Nara Prefecture, who is Japan's first emperor. He will then visit the Tsubaki Grand Shrine of Ise and from there to the Mausoleum of his father, the late Showa Emperor Hirohito. All of these solemn rites are being conducted in private. And while it is sad to see him go, it is a necessary completion to his thirty year reign. We at American Mishima wish the Emperor Emeritus a peaceful transition and a happy retirement.