Japanese Princess Yuriko

Japanese Princess Yuriko

(From L) Japan's Emperor Hirohito, his wife Empress Nagako, the emperor's brother Prince Mikasa and his wife Princess Yuriko (R, in a dress) are pictured in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, on July 27, 1955. Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of Japan's imperial family, died at a Tokyo hospital on Nov. 15, 2024, at the age of 101.

Empress dowager's memorial tablet moved to shrine in palace

Empress dowager's memorial tablet moved to shrine in palace

TOKYO, Japan - A procession of carriages on June 18 accompanies a tablet signifying the spirit of the late Empress Dowager Nagako to a shrine in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo dedicated to the imperial family's ancestors. The ''reidai'' tablet was transferred to the shrine from the Fukiage Omiya Palace within the palace grounds, where the empress dowager lived. The empress dowager, posthumously known as Empress Kojun, died in June last year at the age of 97.

Ceremony marks 1st anniversary of Empress Dowager's death

Ceremony marks 1st anniversary of Empress Dowager's death

TOKYO, Japan - Crown Princess Masako is driven to the Imperial Palace on June 16 to attend a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the death of Empress Dowager Nagako, Emperor Akihito's mother.

Crown Princess Masako appears in public

Crown Princess Masako appears in public

GIFU, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako wave to a crowd as they arrive at Gifuhashima Station in Gifu Prefecture on July 31 to attend the opening ceremony of a national senior high school athletics championship. It was the first time for the princess to appear in public since former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's funeral June 8. She was absent from the funeral and related events for the Empress Dowager Nagako on July 24-26 due to fatigue partly caused by the summer heat, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

Empress dowager's funeral procession goes to Hachioji

Empress dowager's funeral procession goes to Hachioji

TOKYO, Japan - A hearse carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako heads to the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum in Hachioji in the western suburbs of Tokyo on July 25, as crowds line the streets to watch the procession. A funeral ceremony was to take place at a site where a mausoleum for the empress dowager is being built. The empress dowager, widow of late Emperor Hirohito, died of old age June 16 at age 97.

Funeral held for empress dowager

Funeral held for empress dowager

TOKYO, Japan - A hearse carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako arrives at the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward on July 25 for a Shinto-style funeral ceremony. The empress dowager, widow of Emperor Hirohito, died of old age June 16 at 97.

Emperor reads condolences for empress dowager

Emperor reads condolences for empress dowager

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito reads out condolences at the funeral July 25 for Empress Dowager Nagako at the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The emperor served as chief mourner during the Shinto-style ceremony, called ''Renso-no-gi'' in Japanese. The empress dowager, widow of Emperor Hirohito, died of old age June 16 at 97.

Empress dowager's coffin placed in hearse

Empress dowager's coffin placed in hearse

TOKYO, Japan - The coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako is placed in a hearse at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 25 for a funeral at the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. The empress dowager, wife of the late Emperor Hirohito, died of old age June 16 at 97. Her posthumous name is Empress Kojun.

Emperor bows to hearse carrying empress dowager's coffin

Emperor bows to hearse carrying empress dowager's coffin

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (C) and Empress Michiko (R), along with Crown Prince Naruhito (L), bow to a hearse carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 25. The funeral ceremony, called ''Renso-no-gi'' in Japanese, was held at the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.

Car carrying coffin of empress dowager leaves for funeral

Car carrying coffin of empress dowager leaves for funeral

TOKYO, Japan - A car carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako leaves the Imperial Palace for the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery July 25. The first half of a Shinto-style funeral was to be performed at the cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, with Emperor Akihito serving as chief mourner. The empress dowager, wife of the late Emperor Hirohito, died of old age on June 16 at age 97. Her posthumous name is Empress Kojun.

Late empress dowager receives posthumous title

Late empress dowager receives posthumous title

TOKYO, Japan - The late Empress Dowager Nagako, shown in this undated photo, was posthumously named ''Empress Kojun'' in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace on July 10. The title Kojun comprises two Chinese characters. The first carries the meaning of fragrance and beautiful, and the second stands for pure, honest and merciful.

People pay respects to late empress dowager

People pay respects to late empress dowager

TOKYO, Japan - People pay their respects to the late Empress Dowager Nagako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 2. The empress dowager died June 16 at age 97, and was the widow of Emperor Hirohito, who died in 1989.

Foreign envoys offer condolences to emperor, empress

Foreign envoys offer condolences to emperor, empress

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko receive condolences from foreign ambassadors at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 1 for Empress Dowager Nagako, who died June 16 at the age of 97. The empress dowager was the widow of Emperor Hirohito, who died in 1989. (Pool photo)

Empress Dowager's coffin transferred to imperial mortuary

Empress Dowager's coffin transferred to imperial mortuary

TOKYO, Japan - A hearse carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako proceeds from the Fukiage Omiya Palace to a temporary mortuary set up in the most interior corner of the dining room at the Imperial Palace on June 28.

Priests prepare ground for empress dowager's mausoleum

Priests prepare ground for empress dowager's mausoleum

TOKYO, Japan - Shinto priests pray June 26 for the safety and security of the planned tomb for the late Empress Dowager Nagako, in a ritual at the Musashino Imperial Mausoleum in the western suburbs of Tokyo. The tomb is to take a year to construct and will be located near that of her husband, the late Emperor Hirohito, posthumously called Emperor Showa. The empress dowager died June 16 at the age of 97.

(3)Nation mourns death of Empress Dowager Nagako

(3)Nation mourns death of Empress Dowager Nagako

OSAKA, Japan - Yomiuri Giants players offer a minute of silent prayer to mourn the death of Empress Dowager Nagako before the start of their game against the Hanshin Tigers at the Koshien Ball Park on June 16.

Races canceled after empress dowager's death

Races canceled after empress dowager's death

TOKYO, Japan - Horse races are canceled June 17 following the death of the 97-year-old Empress Dowager Nagako on June 16. The photo shows an official of the Japan Racing Association putting up posters on a wall at an off-track betting establishment in Tokyo's Uchisaiwaicho saying the association will cancel horse racing nationwide June 17.

People pay sympathy visits to Imperial Palace

People pay sympathy visits to Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - People pay sympathy visits to the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo on June 17 to sign their names in the visitors' register for Empress Dowager Nagako, who died June 16 at the age of 97. The empress dowager, the widow of Emperor Hirohito, died of old age.

Performances canceled after empress dowager's death

Performances canceled after empress dowager's death

TOKYO, Japan - Theater performances are canceled June 17 following the death of the 97-year-old Empress Dowager Nagako on June 16. The National Theater in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward said it will cancel all performances, except lessons on traditional Kabuki theater, on June 17.

People pay condolence visits to Imperial Palace

People pay condolence visits to Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - People line up at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 17 to sign their names on a visitors' register for Empress Dowager Nagako, who died of old age at 97 the previous day.

(3)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(3)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Dowager Nagako as pictured in December 1981.

(2)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(2)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken at the Akasaka Detached Palace (now the government guesthouse) in 1925 portrays then Crown Prince Hirohito and Princess Nagako, one year after they were wed.

(5)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(5)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Nagako and Emperor Hirohito enjoy viewing plum (ume) blossoms in the garden of the Fukiage Omiya Palace. The photo was taken in February 1986 three years before the death of her husband.

(7)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(7)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Nagako (3rd from L) and Emperor Hirohito are pictured with Queen Elizabeth (2nd from R), Prince Philip (far L) and other members of the British royal family during their visit to the Buckingham Palace in October 1971.

Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako visit Imperial Palace

Crown Prince Naruhito, Princess Masako visit Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace early in the morning of June 16 after Empress Dowager Nagako fell into a critical condition. The 97-year-old empress dowager has been experiencing breathing difficulties since June 14. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also arrived at Fukiage Palace within the Imperial Palace grounds to see the widow of the late Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.

(6)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(6)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Empress Nagako and Emperor Hirohito smile at people during a parade along the main street of Williamsburg, Virginia, in October 1975.

Mori makes sympathy visit to Imperial Palace

Mori makes sympathy visit to Imperial Palace

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori leaves the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 16 after signing his name in the visitors' register to express his sympathy for Empress Dowager Nagako, the 97-year-old widow of Emperor Hirohito, who fell into an extremely critical condition earlier in the day. She had been experiencing breathing difficulties since June 14.

Crown prince visits empress dowager

Crown prince visits empress dowager

TOKYO, Japan - Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako are seen leaving the Imperial Palace on June 15 after visiting their grandmother, Empress Dowager Nagako.

Queen Elizabeth in Japan in 1975+

Queen Elizabeth in Japan in 1975+

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 9 Kyodo - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (2nd from L) and Prince Philip (L) attend a welcome ceremony at Tokyo's Akasaka Palace state guesthouse on May 7, 1975, accompanied by Japanese Emperor Hirohito (2nd from R) and Empress Nagako.

(3)Emperor Hirohito

(3)Emperor Hirohito

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Hirohito and his family at the Imperial Palace before World War II. Front row, from left to right: Kazuko Takatsukasa, Emperor Hirohito (posthumously named Emperor Showa), then Crown Prince and now Emperor Akihito and Prince Hitachi. Back row, from left to right: Empress Dowager Nagako (posthumously named Empress Kojun), Takako Shimazu, Kuniko Higashikuni, and Atsuko Ikeda.The photo was taken at the Imperial Palace in October, 1939.(Kyodo)

Empress dowager's memorial tablet moved to shrine in palace

Empress dowager's memorial tablet moved to shrine in palace

TOKYO, Japan - A procession of carriages on June 18 accompanies a tablet signifying the spirit of the late Empress Dowager Nagako to a shrine in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo dedicated to the imperial family's ancestors. The ''reidai'' tablet was transferred to the shrine from the Fukiage Omiya Palace within the palace grounds, where the empress dowager lived. The empress dowager, posthumously known as Empress Kojun, died in June last year at the age of 97.

Emperor bows to hearse carrying empress dowager's coffin

Emperor bows to hearse carrying empress dowager's coffin

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Akihito (C) and Empress Michiko (R), along with Crown Prince Naruhito (L), bow to a hearse carrying the coffin of Empress Dowager Nagako at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 25. The funeral ceremony, called ''Renso-no-gi'' in Japanese, was held at the Toshimagaoka imperial cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.

Races canceled after empress dowager's death

Races canceled after empress dowager's death

TOKYO, Japan - Horse races are canceled June 17 following the death of the 97-year-old Empress Dowager Nagako on June 16. The photo shows an official of the Japan Racing Association putting up posters on a wall at an off-track betting establishment in Tokyo's Uchisaiwaicho saying the association will cancel horse racing nationwide June 17.

Hirohito, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Nagako Kuni & Prince

Hirohito, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Nagako Kuni & Prince

Hirohito, Queen Elizabeth Ii, Princess Nagako Kuni & Prince Philip State Visit In Japan 07 May 1975 im Mai 1975 bei einem Staatsbesuch in Japan Englisches, britisches Kînigshaus: Kînigin / queen Elizabeth II. und ihr Mann, Prinz Philip, Herzog von Edinburgh, 1975 beim Staatsbesuch in Japan, hier empfangen von Kaiser/emperor Hirohito und dessen Frau / Personen, duke, queen, royals, Herrscherin, Monarchin, zweite, 2., Adel, royals, prince Date: 07-May-1975

RETURN TO THE MOTHERLAND

RETURN TO THE MOTHERLAND==Date:May, 1972, Place:Okinawa,Tokyo,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

JAPAN WELCOMES 1971

JAPAN WELCOMES 1971==Date:Jan, 1971, Place:Tokyo,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

GARDEN PARTIES WELLCOME SPRING

GARDEN PARTIES WELLCOME SPRING==Date:April, 1965, Place:JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

IMPERIAL GARDEN PARTY

IMPERIAL GARDEN PARTY==Date:Nov, 1965, Place:,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

CROWDS CHEER EMPEROR

CROWDS CHEER EMPEROR==Date:Jan, 1963, Place:Tokyo,JAPAN, (Credit:INTERNATIONAL MOTION PICTURE/Kyodo News Images)

Emperor Hirohito 1

Emperor Hirohito 1

TOKYO, Japan - Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako at a banquet held by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. The photo was taken in October 1971. (Kyodo)

Musashinoryo mausoleum

Musashinoryo mausoleum

TOKYO, Japan - Aerial view of Musashinoryo mausoleum, which houses the separate graves of Emperor Hirohito (L) and Empress Nagako. The photo was taken on March 16, 2001. (Kyodo)

Imperial family gathering in 1960s

Imperial family gathering in 1960s

Photo taken in 1960 shows a young Prince Hiro (C), now Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, with (from L) Empress Nagako, Crown Prince Akihito (the current emperor), Crown Princess Michiko (the current empress), Emperor Hirohito and Prince Yoshi. Crown Prince Naruhito is set to become emperor on May 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japanese performers to help raise funds for Taiwan quake

Japanese performers to help raise funds for Taiwan quake

Singer Kyoko Kin (1st from R), singer Aiko Shirai (2nd from R), ballerina Nagako Mizuno (3rd from R), contemporary dancer Jun Amanto (4th from R), church representative Tsai Nan-hsin (5th from R) and director Rena Masuyama (4th from L) pose for the media in Taipei on March 9, 2018. The group is visiting Taiwan to help raise funds for the relief efforts in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, struck by a powerful earthquake in February. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Japan Crown Prince Naruhito as infant

Japan Crown Prince Naruhito as infant

Photo taken Aug. 3, 1960, shows Prince Hiro, now Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, being held by Empress Nagako as Emperor Hirohito looks on at an imperial villa in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture. Crown Prince Naruhito is set to become emperor on May 1, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shinto shrine in Tokyo

Shinto shrine in Tokyo

People visit Tomioka Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, on Dec. 8, 2017, a day after its head Nagako Tomioka was killed with a sword on its premises. The attacker and another woman also died. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shinto shrine head, 2 others killed in Tokyo sword attack

Shinto shrine head, 2 others killed in Tokyo sword attack

A pedestrian walks past the main gate of Tomioka Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, on Dec. 8, 2017. Shigenaga Tomioka, 56, is suspected of killing himself after having attacked and killed his 58-year-old sister Nagako Tomioka, the chief priest of the shrine, and his girlfriend at the shrine on Dec. 7. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Shinto shrine head, 2 others killed in Tokyo sword attack

Shinto shrine head, 2 others killed in Tokyo sword attack

File photo taken in September 2013 shows Tomioka Hachimangu, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, where three people including the chief priest Nagako Tomioka, 58, were killed and one man was injured in a sword attack on Dec. 7, 2017. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej dies at 88

Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej (far L) and Queen Sirikit (far R) attend a welcome ceremony held by Japanese Emperor Hirohito (3rd from L) and Empress Nagako (2nd from R) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in this file photo taken in May 1963. The Thai king, the world's longest-reigning monarch, died at age 88 on Oct. 13, 2016, after a long period of illness. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

(2)Nation mourns death of Empress Dowager Nagako

(2)Nation mourns death of Empress Dowager Nagako

TOKYO, June 16 - A man reads an extra reporting the death of Empress Dowager Nagako while waiting for the traffic signal to change at Tokyo's Ginza on June 16.

(2)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

(2)Empress Dowager Nagako dies at 97

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken at the Akasaka Detached Palace (now the government guesthouse) in 1925 portrays then Crown Prince Hirohito and Princess Nagako, one year after they were wed.