Refurbishment Begins at Japanese Imperial Couple’s Temporary Residence

June 25, 2018

Tokyo- Refurbishment work started Monday at the Takanawa residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo, where Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will temporarily live after their abdication next year.

Full-fledged refurbishment, including the installation of new air conditioners and repairs to the roofs, will start in mid-July with a budget of around 840 million yen.

The Takanawa residence, a reinforced-concrete building consisting of a basement and a ground floor, was built in 1973 for Prince and Princess Takamatsu.

After they abdicate on April 30 next year, the Imperial couple will leave the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and move to the Takanawa residence.

The couple is scheduled to move to the Togu Palace in the Akasaka Estate, also in Minato Ward, within 18 months. The Togu Palace is the current residence of Crown Prince Naruhito, who is set to accede to the throne on May 1 next year, and his family. Jiji Press