Emperor › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

POOL PHOTO

Monday 28th July, 01:39 PM JST

Emperor Akihito is briefed by a company employee on ways to retrieve chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from a beverage vending machine at a recycling company in Tokyo’s Ota Ward on Monday.

Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

cleo at 04:18 PM JST - 28th July

No he doesn't. But I love the way he's bending over so as not to be taller than His Highness.
SushiSake3 at 04:34 PM JST - 28th July

"Emperor Akihito is **briefed **by a company employee.."

Sniff, the rest of us commoners are just 'told'..... :-(
Freespeech at 05:06 PM JST - 28th July

Look ! If he learns really hard chances are that at the end of the process he can make himself useful !
blvtzpk at 05:21 PM JST - 28th July

But I love the way he's bending over so as not to be taller than His Highness.

From the angle of the photo, he's clearly failed. Maybe it's because one of the two is particularly short. Perhaps they should have gone with the trench/box system for shots they use in Hollywood.

Well, it's still nice to see the one on the right has rolled up his sleeves and is ready to get down to work. Gotta earn his keep.
thepro at 05:33 PM JST - 28th July

"you're doin what now?"
DXXJP at 06:40 PM JST - 28th July

Now that he knows the process maybe he could hit a few junk yards and teach them hacks how to remove and recycle the stuff. Otherwise pulling CFC's from a few vending machines is a feeble attempt.
romulus3 at 07:49 PM JST - 28th July

finally, there will be a real conversation at the royal dinner table tonight.
tclh at 09:07 PM JST - 28th July

I did not know that you can wear a hat in front of the Emperor ?!Some thing to learn every day.
Sarge at 09:38 PM JST - 28th July

"You're doin' what now?"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

"retrieve CFCs from a beverage vending machine"

How exactly do you do that?

Somehow I can't picture the Emperor buying drinks from a machine...
Freespeech at 10:01 PM JST - 28th July

Careful Aki !! Do not mess up your shirt. If you come back home with a grease stain, the Missus is going to give you hell tonight ! Not to mention the fact that the Grand Stewart will no longer allow you to go out so freely in the future.
blvtzpk at 10:21 PM JST - 28th July

Somehow I can't picture the Emperor buying drinks from a machine...

Probably like Queen Liz, he doesn't carry money. Let the minions feed the vending machine!

My guess is he's a 'Bikkle' man.
Apsara at 10:58 PM JST - 28th July

I vote for "Soukenbicha" as HIH's favourite refresher.

The vending machine guy does look nervous- his face is an odd colour.
thepro at 11:03 PM JST - 28th July

Of course he's nervous - he's meeting a living God! Divine people are smaller than regular people.
bandogeek at 11:54 PM JST - 28th July

I think it's great the the Emperor is learning things about ways to protect the environment, I'm surprised that the employee is wearing a hat in the presence of the emperor, it must be a permanent part of the uniform.
JohnBecker at 07:13 AM JST - 29th July

I guess it's just me, but the first thing I noticed is that o-kami is rockin' the Sans-a-Belts! Why not just a nice light summer kimono? If sumo rikishi have to wear kimono, can't we all agree that the royal family should do the same? Y'know, tradition and all.