Japanese Imperial Family Embraces Social Media With Instagram to Connect With the Youth

Japan's Imperial Household Agency (IHA), which manages the affairs of the Japanese imperial family, launched an Instagram account on Monday, Apr. 1. The account showcases 60 images and five videos.

The initiative's goal is to engage with younger people on social media and remove the Japanese Imperial Family's secluded reputation, according to AP News. The agency tries to provide the public with an understanding of the family's official responsibilities by highlighting Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's official activities during the previous three months.

More Than 270,000 Followers on Its Debut

Their verified Instagram account, Kunaicho_jp, had over 270,000 followers by Monday. One of the first posts was a picture of the royal couple shot on New Year's Day with their 22-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko. Meetings with foreign leaders, such as Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and his spouse, were among the other highlights.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (L) speaks as Empress Masako (C) and their daughter Princess Aiko (R) listens on the balcony of the Imperial Palace on February 23, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. Emperor Naruhito appeared to greet the public on his 64th birthday, flanked by Empress Masako and other members of the Japanese Royal Family. (Photo : Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)

Despite the increasing number of followers, the content currently focuses on official tasks and excludes any candid or intimate moments. However, the organization is considering showcasing the endeavors of other royal members in the future.

Japan's imperial family's social media debut comes 15 years after Britain's royal family joined the former Twitter (now known as X) in 2009.

Netizen's Reaction to Japanese Imperial Family's Instagram Debut

Users' reactions to the IHA's Instagram debut were mixed. Some expressed dissatisfaction about the lack of content suitable for memes. Some photographs, like Emperor Naruhito during parliament's January inauguration, have been available.

One user joked in a comment on the abrupt change, "The IHA is on Instagram! I mistook it for an April Fools' joke." The improbable possibility of seeing ordinary postings from the emperor, such as "today's lunch (heart emoji)," was brought up by another user.

Some, like student Koki Yoneura, 21, value the insider information about the family's activities, while other students, like Yukino Yoshiura, also a student, said they hope to see more updates on Princess Aiko. However, both kids stated that they did not plan to follow the royal family's Instagram account.

Though jokes surfaced regarding the royals' Instagram decision over Twitter, the IHA has not followed any profiles. Reports indicate that the organization is nonetheless amenable to suggestions regarding possible social media partnerships from other kingdoms.

Several social media users amusedly commented that the royals made a smart decision by selecting the more "civilized" Instagram rather than X, the short messaging service that was formerly known as Twitter until Elon Musk took it.

The Japanese Imperial Family's choice to use social media platforms to manage their public image is a change from the agency's customary methods, per Al Jazeera. Princess Mako's 2021 marriage to a commoner was the subject of negative media publicity, which probably influenced this change. Last year, the firm opened a new public relations unit to better reach younger audiences after struggling with internet criticism.

The unsolved financial controversy involving Princess Mako's mother delayed her marriage to Kei Komuro. Even after she married and gave up her royal rank, Princess Mako turned down a customary one-time payment of around $1 million from government money.

According to The Guardian, the IHA is also considering creating profiles on Facebook and Twitter in addition to Instagram, to grow its social media presence and posting content highlighting other members of the royal family, such as the crown prince and princess.