For The First Time, Japanese Imperial Family Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

JAKARTA - Three senior members of the Japanese Imperial family received the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a source familiar with this vaccination, as reported by Kyodo News, Tuesday, June 1.

The source said the vaccination was carried out at a medical facility in the Imperial Palace area of Japan in Tokyo, marking the first time a confirmed COVID-19 vaccination among royalty.

Prince Hitachi (85) the younger brother of former Emperor Akihito, his wife Princess Hanako (80) and Princess Nobuko (66), widow of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Imperial Household Hospital.

All three participated in the country's vaccination program targeting the population aged 65 and over. The vaccination program was launched last April.

Meanwhile, former Emperor Akihito (87), former Empress Michiko (86), Princess Yuriko (97) the oldest member of the country's imperial family and widow of the late Prince Mikasa and Princess Hisako (67) widow of the late Prince Takamado are also eligible for vaccination.

Previously, Japan's Imperial Household Agency said in May it would not announce the vaccination status of members of the royal family because it involves personal information.

For information, launching worldometers Tuesday, June 1, the total cases of COVID-19 infection in Japan reached 744,487 cases, with 12,967 deaths. A total of 675,877 patients were successfully cured, while there were 55,643 active cases.