Japan's imperial family has made a significant step towards modernizing their image by debuting on Instagram. The Imperial Household Agency, responsible for the family's affairs, shared 60 photos and five videos showcasing Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's public appearances over the past three months. The move is aimed at connecting with younger people on social media and providing a better understanding of the family's official duties. Their verified account, Kunaicho_jp, quickly gained over 270,000 followers by Monday evening.

The first post featured the imperial couple sitting with their daughter, Princess Aiko, on New Year's Day, smiling and marking the occasion. Other posts included meetings with foreign dignitaries such as Brunei Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah. A video of Emperor Naruhito addressing well-wishers on his birthday received over 21,000 views in less than a day. Despite the positive reception, the images shared are limited to official duties, with no private or candid moments included.

Students like Koki Yoneura and Yukino Yoshiura expressed excitement about the Instagram debut, particularly looking forward to seeing more posts about Princess Aiko, who recently graduated from university. However, they did not plan on following the royal family's account. The move to social media comes after years of consideration by palace officials, who hope to attract a broader audience beyond the older generations who currently make up the royal family's fan base.

While some, like American student Daniela Kuthy, were surprised it took this long for the Japanese imperial family to join Instagram, others noted the cautious approach taken by the Imperial Household Agency. The agency had previously faced backlash over the marriage of Emperor's niece, Mako Komuro, and her commoner husband, leading to delays and negative media attention. Social media experts believe that platforms like Instagram could help the royal family connect with the public and control the narrative, but concerns remain about maintaining the family's nobility and avoiding controversies.

The account does not follow anyone or allow public interaction through comments, only allowing users to like posts. Those wishing to send messages to the imperial family must use the official website. The Japanese imperial family's social media debut follows in the footsteps of Britain's royal family, who joined Twitter in 2009. The move signals a shift towards a more accessible and transparent approach for one of the world's oldest monarchies.