The Imperial FamilyActivities of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and other Members of the Imperial FamilyTheir Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress EmeritaActivities of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress until April 30, 2019Official Duties and Public Activities in the Imperial PalaceAudiences, Teas and Other Meetings
| Photo | Description |
|---|---|
 A Reception
(Rensui (Dining Room), Imperial Palace) (Photo: Imperial Household Agency) |
A meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress is called an Audiences. People invited to Audiences are mainly persons who have rendered distinguished service in fields such as social welfare, medicine, education, culture, science and industry. Their Majesties invite leading Japanese and non-Japanese figures, including recipients of the Order of Cultural Merit, People of Cultural Merit, recipients of the Japan Academy Prize, recipients of the Japan Academy of Art Award, diplomats posted in Japan, and ambassadors and their spouses leaving for and returning from abroad, to tea receptions, luncheons and other gatherings. Other meetings include those, in which the Prime Minister and other Ministers of State explain items under their jurisdiction Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and the rest of the Imperial Family join Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in some meetings, and also meet on their own with many people from Japan and abroad. |
| Year | His Majesty the Emperor Audiences (Guests) |
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Audiences (Guests) |
Her Majesty the Empress Audiences (Guests) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 36 (17,318) | 35 (3,173) | 1 (4) |
| 1990 | 33 (17,308) | 46 (4,610) | 1 (4) |
| 1991 | 38 (17,468) | 43 (4,282) | 1 (6) |
| 1992 | 36 (18,140) | 43 (4,162) | 1 (6) |
| 1993 | 39 (18,170) | 40 (3,757) | 1 (4) |
| 1994 | 35 (18,593) | 43 (4,140) | 1 (4) |
| 1995 | 37 (18,005) | 36 (3,730) | 1 (4) |
| 1996 | 38 (18,516) | 38 (3,308) | 1 (4) |
| 1997 | 39 (17,875) | 37 (3,442) | 1 (5) |
| 1998 | 35 (17,461) | 38 (2,976) | 1 (4) |
| 1999 | 41 (18,002) | 39 (3,891) | 2 (4) |
| 2000 | 38 (17,682) | 36 (3,080) | 1 (4) |
| 2001 | 37 (17,432) | 32 (2,934) | 1 (4) |
| 2002 | 36 (18,232) | 38 (2,885) | 1 (4) |
| 2003 | 38 (20,804) | 28 (2,484) | 1 (4) |
| 2004 | 38 (20,804) | 28 (2,484) | 1 (4) |
| 2005 | 45 (23,920) | 34 (2,916) | 1 (4) |
| 2006 | 46 (23,266) | 34 (3,844) | 1 (4) |
| 2007 | 45 (23,140) | 26 (2,357) | 1 (4) |
| 2008 | 40 (24,377) | 23 (1,768) | 1 (4) |
| 2009 |
to His Majesty the Emperor; those, in which experts offer lectures on their subjects of specialty; and those, in which people from all over Japan gather to offer their services in cleaning the Imperial Palace and are allowed to meet Their Majesties. Both Their Majesties use these opportunities to enjoy friendly interaction with numerous people.