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Emperor emeritus Akihito and Empress emerita Michiko visited the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club on Sunday, their first public appearance since Akihito's abdication last Tuesday.
The couple arrived at around 4 p.m. and spent about an hour with old friends, but did not play tennis at the club in Minato Ward, Fuji TV reported.
The couple often played at the club together before they got married more than 60 years ago.
They waved to well-wishers and club members from their car as they arrived.
© Japan Today
18 Comments
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gogogo
I had to google emeritus.
JonathanJo
They look happy to have beaten the system.
simon g
Great to see both of them out and about. Perhaps they should take up lawn bowls?
Dukeleto
I hope they both have a long time left to enjoy their twilight years in relative peace together with their family and friends. A well deserved rest IMO.
redelmotalking
They certainly look relieved.
coskuri
They retired, do people know that ? Maybe they no longer need a herd of paparazzi and "well-wishers" (stalkers ?) following them everywhere and documenting their lives in media.
No, they look on duty. They are dressed up to go to a wedding rather than a tennis club. It's really sad.
Cameron
It’s great to see that they can also retire the formal wear and dress down a bit. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see them walking around in jeans and running shoes?
semperfi
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Very elegant ! Such class !
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zones2surf
Awesome!
Perhaps once we get beyond the immediate transition, Akihito and Michiko will be able to enjoy their free time without as much paparazzi!!
Goodlucktoyou
If it was me, I would be drinking cocktails on a beach in Okinawa.
sf2k
They can take up curling!
englisc aspyrgend
Good idea Simon g, or perhaps crown green bowls, no more physically challenging but much more mentally.
Well curling would help keep the knees supple, but I suspect someone else would need to wield the brushes!
Agree with the comments above regarding paparazzi.
Gobshite
Now they have decided to become human, it would be good if the media could leave them alone.
Scrote
I would like to have seen him out with a week's worth of stubble, T-shirt, Bermuda shorts and flip flops.
timeon
Reckless, google tennis elbow and you will find lots of advice. Basically, you need a racket with low stiffness, and elbow friendly strings at a lower tension. Just ask for advice at any tennis shop.
Regarding their attire, this club is rather a high society gathering place, they have strict dress code, so dressing up for a casual visit is rather the norm. By the way, you can join only by invitation, and admission fee alone is 2 million yen
bearandrodent
@timeon, you can join Tokyo Lawn if you have a foreign passport. No waiting line. If you have a Japanese passport, you have to wait until someone gives up their membership or passes away (the average age is literally upper 60s or early 70s).
timeon
Bearandrodent, ooh, I didn't read the English page. But they do say you need two people to recommend you. Not that I know details, my tennis club accepts everyone, anytime, no admission fee :)
"Applicants for regular membership in the Club shall be persons who are residents of Japan, and must be at least 23 years of age. Applicants must be proposed and seconded by two existing Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club members who have been regular members at the Club for a minimum of one year. Currently, the club accepts non-Japanese applications on a continuous basis, while Japanese applications are accepted on a periodic basis. For further details, please contact the Club Office."