上じょう皇こう后ごう

noun

retired empress; empress emerita

Official title for a former empress who has abdicated or retired, especially used for Empress Michiko after Emperor Akihito's abdication in 2019.

• 上じょう皇こう后ごう美み智ち子こさまは、平へい成せいの天皇てんのうとともに公こう務むを退しりぞかれました。

  Her Majesty Empress Emerita Michiko retired from official duties together with the Heisei Emperor.