Japan's Emperor Naruhito with Empress Masako, second right, their daughter Princess Aiko, right, Crown Prince Akishino, third left, Crown Princess Kiko, second left, and their daughter Princess Kako, left, as they appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 63th birthday in Tokyo Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech as Empress Masako, second right, their daughter Princess Aiko, right, Crown Prince Akishino, third left, Crown Princess Kiko, second left, and their daughter Princess Kako, left, appear on the balcony of the Imperial Palace to mark the emperor's 63th birthday in Tokyo Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's imperial family members: Former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's imperial family members, former Empress Michiko, former Emperor Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko waves to well-wishers for the New Year's greetings at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023, the first time in three years. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino wave during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Hisako of Takamado and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado wave during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino and Princess Kako of Akishino attend the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

Former Japanese emperor Akihito, former empress Michiko, Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter Princess Kako appear before well-wishers during the traditional New Year's greeting ceremony by Japan's royal family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on January 2, 2023. PHILIP FONG/Pool via REUTERS 

TOKYO, JAPAN - JANUARY 02: (L-R) Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, Princess Hisako of Takamado, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Prince Hitachi, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko of Akishino, Princess Kako of Akishino, Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa and Princess Akiko of Mikasa during the New Year's appearance by the Japanese royal family at the Imperial Palace on January 2, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The event was held for the first time in three years, following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko waves to a special flight carrying Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, heading for the UK to attend Britain's Queen Elizabeth's funeral, as the plane takes off at Haneda international airport in Tokyo, Japan September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko waves to a special flight transporting Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, heading for the UK to attend Britain's Queen Elizabeth's funeral, as the plane takes off at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, accompanied by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, walk toward to a special flight heading for the UK to attend Britain's Queen Elizabeth's funeral, at Haneda international airport in Tokyo, Japan September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, accompanied by Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, walk toward to a special flight heading for the UK to attend Britain's Queen Elizabeth's funeral, at Haneda international airport in Tokyo, Japan September 17, 2022. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Mako attend a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko wave to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria arrive at the cocktail party before the banquet for newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and his spouse in Tokyo, Japan, October 23, 2019. Pool via REUTERS 

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark arrive at the cocktail party before the banquet for newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted by the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and his spouse in Tokyo, Japan, October 23, 2019. Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, with their daughters Princess Mako and Princess Kako, greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, with their daughters Princess Mako and Princess Kako, greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and other members of the royal family greet well-wishers during a public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during their first public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and other members of the royal family greet well-wishers during a public appearance at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attend a ceremony called Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi, his first audience after the accession to the throne, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, May 1, 2019, in this photo released by Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako leaves the Imperial Palace, on the day Emperor Akihito abdicates in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves as she arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako waves as she arrives at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Akihito will abdicate in a royal ceremony, in Tokyo, Japan, April 30, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Royal aficionado Fumiko Shirataki, 78, and her friends photograph Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko at Tokyo Station in Tokyo, Japan, March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato SEARCH "EMPEROR FAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Royal aficionado Fumiko Shirataki, 78, and her friends rush to secure their photo position before arrival of Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko, at Tokyo Station in Tokyo, Japan, March 25, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato SEARCH "EMPEROR FAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Wherever Japan's royals go, there too goes Fumiko Shirataki: in summer heat and winter cold, to the ocean and to the mountains. Except when it snows or rains too hard. "You can't get good pictures then - and if the camera lens gets wet, it might get damaged. I really worry about that," said Shirataki, 78, who has spent the last 26 years following and photographing Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and especially Crown Princess Masako. "As soon as I know their plans I'll be there - though it's hard if I only find out the night before." she added. Shirataki's passion for "okkake," as the pursuit is known in Japan, began in 1993, when she followed then-Masako Owada after her engagement to Crown Prince Naruhito but couldn't get good photos. REUTERS/Issei Kato SEARCH "EMPEROR FAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: JAPAN-EMPEROR/FAN 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, left, and Crown Princess Masako, right, smile at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo, Japan in this handout picture taken on February 17, 2019 and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, left, and Crown Princess Masako, right, speak at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo, Japan in this handout picture taken on February 17, 2019 and provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. 

Japan's Empress Michiko and Crown Princess Masako are seen behind Japanese national flags during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko walk behind Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako after a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito is seen behind Japanese national flags with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako as he waves to well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako make appearance before well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and other royal family members attend a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attend a public appearance for New Year celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, January 2, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, flanked by Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Japan's Crown Princess Masako appears before well-wishers as she celebrates Emperor Akihito's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito appears with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako before well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, flanked by Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, flanked by Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako, wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, flanked by Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito, flanked by Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and other royal family members, wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Japan's Emperor Akihito is seen through Japanese national flags with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako as they wave to well-wishers who gathered to celebrate the Emperor's 85th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan December 23, 2018. REUTERS/Issei Kato 

Jordanian King Abdullah II and Queen Rania al-Yassin greet with Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako at a hotel in Tokyo, Japan November 26, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS 

Jordanian King Abdullah II and Queen Rania al-Yassin greet with Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako at a hotel in Tokyo, Japan November 26, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS 

(L to R) Japan's Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attend an autumn garden party at Akasaka Palace Imperial garden in Tokyo, Japan November 9, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako greet guests during an autumn garden party at Akasaka Palace Imperial garden in Tokyo, Japan November 9, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (front L) and Crown Princess Masako (front 2nd L) greet guests during an autumn garden party at Akasaka Palace Imperial garden in Tokyo, Japan November 9, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS 

Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (front L) and Crown Princess Masako (front 2nd L) greet guests during an autumn garden party at Akasaka Palace Imperial garden in Tokyo, Japan November 9, 2018. Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool via REUTERS