Imperial couple planning to meet with 2011 disaster survivors online

They have been invisible to the public for the best part of the year, apart from a couple of photos of a Covid lecture and an obscure ceremony. The Crown Prince has garnered much more publicity with news of his daughter's on-off marriage and his son's potential role as a future emperor.

They need to be seen to be doing something, to justify their relevance and expense, but it has to be safe, super-safe, or the IHA won't allow it.

Video conferences with residents of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima -- prefectures hard hit by the March 11 disaster that triggered a nuclear crisis -- are expected to start in mid-February, according to the source.

The emperor and empress, who have visited the region when they were crown prince and crown princess, are expected to pray for victims and offer words of encouragement to the survivors.

Residents might ask the imperial family: Have any clout with Suga and that LDP?

How about asking them if some of that GoTo and financial bailout money came come our way?

Thoughts and prayers as always..

The emperor and empress, who have visited the region when they were crown prince and crown princess, are expected to pray for victims and offer words of encouragement to the survivors.

...thanks, I guess.

What is the point of a monarchy if you have no power to be an effective monarch?