Public radio’s longest-running daily global news program.
©2025 The World from PRX
PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402.

During his current trip to Asia, President Obama will meet, among others, two members of Japan’s royal family: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. We talk to John Burnham Schwartz, author of a novel loosely based on the lives of Japan’s royal family.
During his current trip to Asia, President Obama will meet with a variety of leaders and diplomats. He will also meet two members of Japan’s royal family: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The fiercely private royal family has long been surrounded by secrecy and rumors. We talk to John Burnham Schwartz, best-selling novelist and screenwriter. He is author of “The Commoner,” which is a novel loosely based on the lives of some members of the Japanese royal family.