The Japanese trace the lineage of their Emperors back over two thousand years. On this day, the Japanese people celebrate the birthday of Emperor Akihito who was born on December 23, 1933, and assumed the throne in 1989. Called Tenno No Tanjobi, the national holiday changes as each new Emperor takes power in Japan.

Emperor Akihito is the 125th emperor according to Japan’s traditional order of succession. He is the world’s only reigning monarch with the title of emperor. The emperor is never referred to by his given name, but rather is referred to as "His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor."

On Emperor’s Day, a public ceremony takes place at the Imperial Palace which, usually off limits to the public, opens its gates to the public. The Emperor, accompanied by the Empress of Japan and other members of the royal family, appears three times between 10:00 and 11:30 in the morning on a palace balcony to acknowledge the birthday greetings of crowds of wellwishers waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai!"

This event, along with Ippan Sanga on January 2, are the only two occasions in the year when the general public is permitted to enter the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace.

When the Emperor speaks, the crowd falls silent. After the Emperor finishes his brief greeting, the crowd starts waving the flags again and the Imperial Family waves back. With their constant civic and peace-oriented activities, the Emperor and his family enjoy the greatest respect from the Japanese people.

We congratulate the people and government of Japan, led by His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Akihito, and H.E., Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and its Embassy in the Philippines headed by H.E., Ambassador Makoto Katsura, on the occasion of their Emperor’s Day.