Instagram screenshot
Internet users had a hard time believing it. This Sunday, March 31st, the Imperial Household Agency created their first official social media account featuring Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Vertical arms placed on legs, fixed gaze and safety distance. However, here are some of the portraits of the Japanese Imperial Family that were posted on the first official Instagram account. On Sunday March 31, no less than 19 photos, apparently very ordinary, were added to this new page of the Imperial Household Agency called “kunaicho_jp”, which has already accumulated nearly 300,000 views in just a few hours. followers. The photos on display show Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in scenes taken during recent events and ceremonies.
As the spokesperson of the agency told AFP, the purpose of involvement in Instagram is to attract the attention of younger generations to the problems of the imperial family. Each picture is accompanied by a brief factual caption explaining what the emperor does. visits with foreign dignitaries, bonsai exhibitions, award ceremonies… Comments, however, remain under moderated postings.
Iconic character
The Japanese Imperial Family has legendary origins dating back more than 2,600 years. After the end of World War II, the emperor no longer has any political role, but remains an important symbolic figure for the country, and any public criticism of him remains taboo. “The Imperial House is on Instagram. I thought it was an April Fool’s joke.” responded an amused netizen with X. “When I heard that the Imperial House had created an Instagram account, I quickly went to see it. But obviously the emperor didn’t post his lunch or anything like that,” another X user responded.
Source: Le Figaro
