Empress Masako said she is grateful for the support she has received for half of her life as part of the imperial family as she turns 59 on Dec. 9. “I am deeply moved to have spent exactly half ...

With the start of the Reiwa Era in May 2019 when Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, Masako took over silkworm-raising duties from her mother-in-law Empress Emerita Michiko. On May ...