Michiko purchased a welfare vehicle last October… “No hand gestures” at the general visit to the shrine… “Questionable comments” from those around her.

Last year’s event was canceled due to the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

More than 60,000 people from all over Japan gathered at the Imperial Palace on January 2 for the first New Year’s visit in two years, but the “unusual” appearance of Empress Michiko (90) has been controversial.

Last year’s general visit to the shrine was cancelled due to the Noto Peninsula earthquake. For the past few years, the number of visitors had been limited due to the COVID-19 crisis, but for the first time in five years, the event was held without any restrictions. Those participating in the Imperial Family were Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, Princess Aiko, Prince and Princess Akishino, Princess Kako, Princess Hanako of Princess Hitachi. And then there was the emperor and his wife,” said a reporter in charge of the Imperial Household at a national newspaper.

Speaking of Princess Michiko, last October she fell down at her residence and broke her right femur. After undergoing surgery, she is currently using a wheelchair and undergoing rehabilitation twice a day at her residence, the Sento Palace.

While some were relieved to hear that Michiko was in good health, others felt that there was something strange about her appearance that day.

She did not use a wheelchair or a cane, but she was the only member of the royal family who did not make a “hand gesture. At the general visit to the shrine, it is customary for the members of the Imperial Family to wave to the people in attendance for a certain period of time after the Emperor’s New Year’s greetings. Since Michiko was the only one who was not present, there were whispers among those involved that she may have been concerned about her health.

The fact that the elderly Princess Michiko will be attending the general visit to the shrine will make the people of her generation feel closer to her and give them some encouragement. However, her age also poses a risk, and many people are concerned about her behavior.

The lack of hand gestures made us stand out from the crowd.

I heard people say, “Why didn’t you use a cane or ride a wheelchair to attend the meeting? It was great that he stood up in spite of his fracture, but I felt that he stood out because he did not make a gesture. If you do not use a cane, which plays an important role in supporting your body, and if you fall again, please contact us at …….

Even if he insists that he wants to attend the ceremony without a cane or wheelchair, everyone understands that it would be a heavy burden. The Imperial Household Agency and other people involved should have stopped her or given her the best possible support.

There were other reasons for Michiko’s “no hand gesture” attendance. One Imperial Household Agency official revealed the following.

In fact, in late October of last year, the Imperial Household Agency purchased a welfare vehicle that allows a wheelchair user to get in and out of the vehicle. This is the first time in 14 years that the Imperial Household Agency has purchased a welfare vehicle, and the timing of the purchase suggests that the vehicle is for Michiko. It is believed that after presentations were made by various automobile manufacturers regarding the latest models of vehicles, an improved version was prepared for Princess Michiko. Naturally, the funds to purchase this welfare vehicle were also paid from the public’s taxes.

If she were using a wheelchair on a regular basis, there would be no criticism, but seeing her without a wheelchair at a public visit like this, some may ask why the vehicle was purchased. Furthermore, if she is unable to make gestures, I think the best decision would have been for her to use a wheelchair and make gestures instead of forcing herself to stand.

We hope that the people will not have any doubts and that he will always be in good health.