Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s nametag shows his full name along with his title, while his wife, Yuko, wears one that reads “Wife of Fumio Kishida” at the annual spring garden party hosted at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on April 23. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Proper name tags for all is the new rule at imperial garden parties following criticism that the first names of spouses of dignitaries and others of note were omitted at the last function held in spring.

The next garden party to mark the fall season will be held at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on Oct. 30.

Stung by the criticism, the Imperial Household Agency said that the names of the spouses of invited guests will also be listed on nametags.

Also, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, food will be served, such as “jingisukan” barbecue and yakitori, the agency said.

Guests at these functions are recognized as having made distinguished achievements in their respective field.

The criticism was all over X after this year’s spring garden party where spouses were identified as “Husband of (wife’s full name)” or “Wife of (husband’s full name).”

Starting with this autumn garden party, the full names of spouses will be written on the nametags, the agency said.

The agency also said their full names will be written in the address of the invitation card.

The provision of food was temporarily suspended after the pandemic.

However, light meals resumed at this year’s spring garden party.

The agency noted that overcrowding was not an issue and that it had decided to comply with numerous requests to serve jingiskan barbecue and yakitori from the agency’s ranch.

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