Japan royal family shocks internet with unexpected move

Japanese royal family made a notable debut on Instagram on Monday.

The official social media handle was launched with 19 formally staged photos and videos of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

It features their public engagements, as well as celebration of key events since the beginning of this year.

The Instagram account garnered over 200K followers as soon as it was opened to public after being set to private for a week.

According to a spokesperson for Imperial Household Agency, a government agency in charge of state matters concerning the royals, hoped to renew interest in Japanese monarchy by reaching a younger audience via social media.

“The Japanese monarchy has mythological origins stretching back more than two millennia, and any public criticism of the emperor remains taboo in the country. By joining social media, the institution hopes to spark interest among younger generations about what the imperial family does,” they said, according to New18.

It is pertinent to note that the Instagram handle will strictly cater to official updates and announcements, hence, anyone expecting informal interactions with public can give up their hopes.

Reacting to the unexpected step of the royal family, a fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “The IHA is on Instagram! I thought it was an April Fools’ prank!”

Another noted: “When I heard the IHA created an Instagram account, I quickly checked it out. But of course the emperor wouldn’t post ‘today’s lunch (heart emoji)’ or anything like that.”