Japan’s royal family has officially joined social media and first posted on Meta’s Instagram on Monday, April 1, 2024.
The initial 19 posts on the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) account feature Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in staged photos and videos during recent public appearances.
Despite the formal nature of these posts, over 160,000 users have followed the account, which was announced a week ago but remained private until Monday.
Japan’s monarchy has deep historical roots, with mythological origins dating back over two millennia. Criticism of the emperor is considered taboo in the country, reflecting the reverence and respect accorded to the imperial institution.
According to an IHA spokesperson, by joining social media, the institution hopes to spark interest among younger generations about what the imperial family does.
However, the posts shared on the Instagram handle kunaicho_jp lack any behind-the-scenes insights. Instead, they offer strictly factual captions detailing the activities of the emperor on specific days, ranging from meetings with foreign dignitaries to moments of appreciation for bonsai trees. Comments on the posts are moderated.
The account itself does not follow any other users, and as of now, it has not explored the use of Instagram Stories.
In 2019, Naruhito assumed the Chrysanthemum throne in a ceremony steeped in tradition following the abdication of his immensely popular father, marking the first imperial abdication in over two centuries.
Various other monarchies have also established social media accounts, with Britain’s royal family being among them. Recently, they found themselves amidst a flurry of rumors and conspiracy theories.
A manipulated family photograph released by the palace to the media sparked online speculation regarding the whereabouts of Catherine, Princess of Wales. Later, it was revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
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