Shams El-Mutwalli

The Japanese emperor’s birthday has long been celebrated within Japan and outside it, but the festivities surrounding this annual event have been redefined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, like many events, the celebration will not play out in the usual way. Traditionally, members of the public would take part in the event by visiting the palace, where they would offer good wishes to the emperor and sign a guest book— a practice that dates back to 1948. 

Given the restrictions in place, members of the public will not be able to enter the palace gates this year, but in previous years it was common for the emperor and members of the imperial family to address visitors from the balcony of the palace. 

This caution will also extend to the Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which has opted to upload a special page on their website that will include the ambassador’s message.

Emperor of Japan Naruhito’s 60th birthday, celebrated on Feb. 23, was honored last year at the Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia at an event attended by diplomats, government officials, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdul Aziz and Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Uemura Tsukasa.

Last year, Uemura’s opening speech was in Arabic, highlighting the growing relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

This bond was epitomized by Prince Mohammed and Uemura jointly cutting the ceremonial cake featuring flags of both countries.

Japanese cuisine including tempura, yakisoba, sushi and maki was served, and a traditional Japanese dance was performed.

Prior to Naruhito ascending to the throne on May 1, 2019 — becoming the 126th Japanese emperor — the birthday of his father, Emperor Akihito, was commemorated on Dec. 23.

In 2015, Saudi Arabia demonstrated its respect by hosting a reception for the emperor’s 82nd birthday at the residence of the consul general of Japan in Jeddah.

The consul-general’s spoke of a “deep friendship” between the two countries, founded on “mutual respect and appreciation between the Japanese imperial family and the Saudi royal family.” Children singing the anthems of both countries added to the occasion.

This national holiday, referred to as Tenno Tanjobi, traditionally features a congratulatory ceremony, a luncheon hosted by the emperor and empress, as well as a tea reception to receive birthday greetings from special invitees. Diet members, the prime minister, speaker and vice-speaker of the House of Representatives, president and vice president of the House of Councillors and ministers of state attend the luncheon, while the tea reception is held primarily to welcome diplomatic missions in Japan.

Historically, members of the imperial family would not appear before the people gathered outside but this shifted in 1950 when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun made their first appearance.

The opportunity for palace visits during the holiday would attract an influx of people. In 2016 about 38,588 people attended Emperor Akihito’s birthday celebration, and this number rose to 82,850 in 2018.

Despite this year’s restricted circumstances, the sentiment behind the emperor’s birthday celebrations remains unchanged. It encapsulates Japan’s rich culture, history and dedication to tradition, while also reinforcing the bond between Japan and Saudi Arabia that remains strong despite the unpredictability of the global landscape.