The Emperor and Princess Aiko attended the traditional Waseda-Keio baseball game at Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday [1].
This appearance marks the first "Tenran-jiai" — an imperial game attendance — of the Reiwa era [1]. The event signals a return to a storied royal tradition of supporting collegiate athletics, bridging the gap between the monarchy and the public through a shared cultural passion for baseball.
The visit ended a 32-year hiatus since the last imperial attendance at such a game [1]. The Emperor expressed personal nostalgia for the rivalry, noting that his connection to the event dates back to his own youth. He first watched a Waseda-Keio match 58 years ago [1].
"I have been looking forward to this. It has been since I was a child," the Emperor said [1].
Princess Aiko accompanied the Emperor to the stadium, where they observed the high-stakes competition between the two prestigious universities. The atmosphere at the stadium remained celebratory as the royal pair fulfilled their official duties by observing the match [1, 2].
The game concluded with a dramatic finish. Waseda University secured a walk-off victory over Keio University [1]. This result added a layer of excitement to the historic occasion, coinciding with the return of the imperial family to the stands of Jingu Stadium [1, 2].
The tradition of the Emperor attending sports events is a long-standing element of the Japanese monarchy's public engagement. By returning to the Waseda-Keio rivalry, the Emperor connects his current role to his personal history, and the broader history of the sport in Japan [1].
“"I have been looking forward to this. It has been since I was a child,"”
The return of the 'Tenran-jiai' after more than three decades suggests a strategic effort to revitalize traditional imperial public appearances. By engaging with the Waseda-Keio rivalry — a cornerstone of Japanese collegiate culture — the monarchy reinforces its visibility and connection to national traditions in a way that is accessible and celebratory.
