Emperor of Japan joins YouTube in a bid to reach younger audience
The Japanese imperial family is set to establish an official presence on the video-sharing platform YouTube.
This initiative, announced by the Japanese government on Friday, March 28th, marks an evolving step in the normally ultra traditional monarchy’s approach to connecting with the Japanese public.
The launch of the YouTube account is scheduled for April 1st, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Imperial Household Agency, the government body responsible for managing the affairs of the imperial family.
The move into YouTube follows the imperial family’s debut on social media in 2024, which saw the creation of an official Instagram account.
Their Instagram presence has rapidly garnered a substantial following, currently boasting nearly two million followers.
The content shared on the Instagram account typically offers glimpses into the official activities of Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and other members of the imperial family.
These posts often depict engagements such as meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries, visits to areas affected by natural disasters to offer support and solidarity, and attendance at cultural exhibitions showcasing significant works of art.
Emperor Naruhito, who is currently 65 years old, acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, ushering in the Reiwa era.
His ascension followed the historic abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, who in 2019 became the first Japanese monarch to step down from the throne in over two centuries, marking a significant departure from long-held imperial tradition.
Under Japan’s post-World War II Constitution, the imperial family holds no formal political power.
Their role is strictly symbolic, serving as figureheads representing the continuity of Japanese tradition and culture.
Despite their lack of political authority, the imperial family continues to be deeply revered and respected by a significant portion of the Japanese populace, particularly among older generations.
However, this enduring respect is juxtaposed with the considerable pressure placed upon the family members to adhere to exacting standards of conduct and public behavior.
In recent years, members of the imperial family have also become targets of online criticism and negative commentary.
Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, publicly acknowledged in the previous year that his family had been subjected to “bullying-like” messages online, highlighting the challenges of maintaining a public profile in the digital age.
The marriage of the Crown Prince’s daughter, Mako Komuro (formerly Princess Mako) in 2021 also drew intense media scrutiny.
Reports surfaced in Japanese media concerning financial difficulties faced by Mako’s mother, Princess Kiko, which were perceived by some as damaging to the image and standing of the imperial family.
Ultimately, Mako and her husband chose to forgo a traditional public wedding ceremony and subsequently relocated to the United States to begin their life together.
The launch of a YouTube channel represents an aim to reach a broader and potentially younger demographic through the medium of video.
The content planned for the YouTube account, while not explicitly detailed in the initial announcement, is likely to include video footage of the types of engagements currently documented on their Instagram account, offering a more dynamic and potentially in-depth view of the imperial family’s activities.
This initiative can be seen as a proactive step to maintain relevance and foster connection with the Japanese public in an increasingly digital landscape, while navigating the delicate balance between tradition and modern forms of communication.
The success of their Instagram account suggests a public appetite for glimpses into the lives and roles of the imperial family, and the YouTube platform offers a new avenue to meet this interest.
Source: Jiji