Emperor, empress to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral; Kishida will go to New York

The royal and imperial families have long shared a deep bond.

【・ヘ・?】

"funeral diplomacy."

is that something like 'using the funeral for political ends?' would any politician do that? surely not!!! （⌒▽⌒）

@diagonalslip

Anglo-Japanese relations goes back to 1854 with the signing of the Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty between both countries. This developed into the Anglo-Japanese alliance that was signed in 1902 (and in 1914, Japan joined WWI as Britain's ally).

Whilst HM Queen Elizabeth II had a close relationship with the Japanese Imperial family that dates back to her coronation in 1953.

The royal and imperial families have long shared a deep bond.

They have a lot in common: privileged from birth, filthy rich, and nothing important to do or worry about.

They have a lot in common: privileged from birth, filthy rich, and nothing important to do or worry about.

While the British monarchy is filthy rich, I would love to have you show how the Japanese royal family is "filthy" rich?

Or are you just assuming that they are? I highly doubt you would want to be a member of the Japanese royal family, their lives are hardly the same as the British royals, and if you were one, you could share what it is like to live in a cage your entire life as well.

Can't imagine that Kishida would even consider going, even if he had the opportunity, he is too busy planning for Abe's memorial, and is himself still in mourning due to his idol's untimely death.

I really hope the media calls out Kishida for "funeral diplomacy" around September 27th too!

@plasticmonkey:

The woman was widely respected around the world and those that genuinely wish to take part in the service will greatly outnumber those able to - such i that there are only two official invitations per non Commonwealth country. The majority of which will be taken up by Heads of State and their spouse. So, in the charming words of @plasticmonkey there will be lots of 'filthy rich' attending. And before you make such comments I suggest you research the importance of her work within her own country and how much she meant as is apparent by the grief shown by many now.

When all is said and done, I think it might be time to let the Royals just be people.

Oh - And yes - before you call the Japanese Monarchy 'filthy rich' - a little research there will show you that personally, they are not.

It would be more appropriate for Kishida to attend the funeral. Queen Elizabeth didn’t attend emperor Shiwa’s funeral.

Forget a "funeral diplomacy" for now. The imperial couple is the smart choice as a representative of Japan while Kishida would serve as a redundancy. Ideally, the attendance of the retired imperial couple may also be suitable as their relations with the late Queen were close and personal.

I'm pretty sure that the Emperor, upon making a personal request to the Cabinet Office that it be he who wished to represent Japan, will take your views into consideration @Meiyouwenti.

It is understandable. Kishida has a lot of things to do here for the state funeral of Abe.

Queen Elizabeth didn’t attend emperor Shiwa’s funeral.

Who was emperor "Shiwa"?

I've got a feeling old Fumio won't be in the top job much longer... what better way to throw off the hounds from the Unification Church fiasco than to give him the boot and elect another mouthpiece for the invisible men!!??

In regards, 'filthy rich';

https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/seido/seido08.html

Have a look for yourself. Seems to me the Japanese royals aren't short of money either from the Japanese Government stipend (taxpayer's money) they receive.

Family expenses of around 2 million pound a year.

Personal expenses of around 1.5 million pound each a year.

Household expenses of around 40 milion pound a year.

They ain't living hand to mouth just yet ......

I accept that is not much compared to the British Royal family personal wealth, but not small change either.

Is it news? It's common sense. Only two people are invited. Why push for Kishida to attend if he's not the sitting Japanese monarch?

I think it is important to show proper respect for the dead. It’s inappropriate to use their deaths and funerals as a podium for criticism. Let them at least be buried before hurling insults. It’s uncharitable.

Prince Phillip attended Hirohito's funeral (Showa Emperor), representing his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. The queen, who did not attend the funerals of heads of state, acted on the advice of government ministers on such issues as sending representatives. His attendance was met with protests from WW2 veterans and politicians in the UK.

If the J-Emperor (and Empress if possible) are attending, which they should, there is no reason for J-PM Kishida to attend. This is proper protocol.

Under the circumstance, the decision was actually made by the UK, not by PM Kishida. Guess he didn't get the memo. But due to the limited space, invitations are limited to two per country. The Emperor and Empress have stated they will attend.

The queen's personal wealth is about £500 million. The wealth of the royal family is about £28 billion, ($32 billion). The wealth of the Japanese imperial family is about $20 billion, (currently about £17 billion).

Of course the protocol in that case requires the upper top representatives from an Imperial or Royal family, if not available the top state representative, a president for example, therefore anyone from prime ministers, ministers or other government representatives are at the very bottom of the scale and aren’t even invited under normal circumstances.

It certainly makes more sense for members of the Japan royal family to attend the funeral of a member of the British royal family than for a political appointee to attend.

I’m sure she would’ve been devastated…...

“Excuse me your Highness. The Japanese Prime Minister will not be able to make the funeral.”

”Oh dear. That’s too bad. What was his name again? Abe Suga or something?”

”It’s Kishida, your Highness.”

”hmmm, never heard of him, let me Google him real quick.”

It's obviously a typo.

That would be Showa .

To anyone that actually knows anything of Japanese history .

And it's obvious that the oblivious don't understand sarcasm.

The queen's personal wealth is about £500 million. The wealth of the royal family is about £28 billion, ($32 billion). The wealth of the Japanese imperial family is about $20 billion, (currently about £17 billion).

Think you got your millions and billions mixed up there mate.

tora

The queen's personal wealth is about £500 million. The wealth of the royal family is about £28 billion, ($32 billion). The wealth of the Japanese imperial family is about $20 billion, (currently about £17 billion).

Think you got your millions and billions mixed up there mate.

Nothing mixed up. The queen's personal wealth is about £500 million. In her will, she will decide what happens to that and who gets what.

In addition to her wealth, the wealth of the entire royal family and their properties is about £28 billion.

The wealth of the Japanese imperial family is about £17 billion.

It’s the right call.

The PM was never invited, heads of state are invited. It was presumptuous of him to think he was.

I don't think the UK would want Kishida-san and his government people anywhere near the Queen's funeral.

The PM was never invited, heads of state are invited. It was presumptuous of him to think he was.

Presumptuous and arrogant.

Good for them. If I'm them, I'd be looking forward to being able to finally leave the country after 3 years.

Not under the greatest circumstances of course, but their life must be dull and confining.

Nice to get away.

I am glad Empress Masako will go. She is my favorite royal person.

I'm glad to hear they will both go. It's a nice show of comradery between the UK and Japan, especially as countries that both still have monarchs. I hope they have a safe and peaceful trip, and get to properly say their goodbyes.

They are the true definition of class and tradition.

The invitation is to heads of state, so of course Kishida will not attend. The Emperor and his wife will attend, which is fitting. I hope (and expect) they will have the opportunity to spend some time with their good friend King Charles. And no, the British royal family are not "filthy rich" as some people here are complaining. Obviously they are not poor, but they are not in the same league as certain US multi-billionaires. They are comfortably off, and no-one other than an extreme republican would complain about that.

An emperor traditionally does not make appearances at funerals at home or abroad and the decision to attend reflects the deep bond between the royal and imperial families.

"During Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign, the British royal family and the Japanese imperial family have maintained friendly relations for three generations," including the current emperor's grandfather and father, Matsuno, the top government spokesman, said.

A show of great respect and honour for both Japan and Great Britain that proves the strength bond/relationship of both countries.