The Japan Imperial Family continues to shrink; as of October 2025, it only has 16 members, as women in the family lose their royal status should they marry a commoner. There are currently eight living ...

As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches, only a few veterans of Japan’s brutal war remain. “Never die for Emperor or country,” one advised. By Martin Fackler and Ko Sasaki Her ...

Emperor Naruhito has led Japan’s royal family since his father’s abdication in 2019 Meet Japan's royal family! The Japanese imperial family is thought to be the oldest hereditary royal family in the ...

FILE - Japan's former Emperor Akihito leaves after paying his respects on the 110th anniversary of the death of the wife of former emperor Meiji, former empress dowager Shoken, who died on April 9, ...

TOKYO – Friday is the 80th anniversary of then-Emperor Hirohito's announcement of Japan's World War II surrender, but as living witnesses die and memories fade, questions remain in Japan about how the ...

Japan has historically had eight female monarchs, the most recent ruling until 1770. But the 1947 Imperial House Law prevents the current emperor's daughter from succeeding him. Princess Aiko's ...