Crown Prince & Crown Princess Akishino Current Events Part 1: May 2019 - October 2024


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On day 2 today, September 22, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko were received by Vietnam's President Vo Van Thuong at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi:


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Various articles and videos of the official visit to Vietnam so far.

Crown Prince, Princess Meet Families of Former Japanese Military Personnel in Vietnam - The Japan News
[...]

A total of nineteen children and grandchildren from 11 families of former Japanese military personnel, met the Imperial couple. The couple gently listened to the stories of the military personnel’s children about how they suffered from poverty and discrimination after their fathers were forced to leave Vietnam. Some of them spoke about their experiences while trembling and with tears in their eyes. “You must have suffered so much,” the couple told them.

A 74-year-old Hanoi resident attended Thursday’s gathering with his two sons. His father, Tamiya Takazawa was a doctor from Kanazawa who served as a doctor in the Japanese military. After World War II ended, he participated in the war of independence as a military doctor. Takazawa married a Vietnamese woman and had four children but returned to Japan in 1954.

The man said he still remembers the day his father left the family. His mother was wailing while holding his 9-month-old sister in her arms. She supported the family’s struggling finances by working both at the government office and as a seamstress. The man said he was bullied and discriminated against at school because his father was Japanese, and he also had a hard time finding a job.

[...]

“I am very touched and grateful to [the Imperial couple] for their kind consideration of us,” he said after meeting them. “Our children and grandchildren are of Japanese descent. I want young people to know more about my family’s history,” he added, expressing his hopes for the future.

[...]
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Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Meet Students in Vietnam | Nippon.com
[...]

The couple visited a Japanese school and Vietnam Japan University, which was established under cooperation between the Japanese and Vietnamese governments.

At the Japanese school, the couple viewed a class in which elementary school first graders learned Vietnamese. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess talked to the children with smiles.

[...]

The couple also viewed a science class for second year junior high school students.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXoc5t6Mu0g
 
The visit to Vietnam has come to an end today, September 25.

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko were seen off at the airport in Da Nang, central Vietnam:


** gettyimages gallery **
 
Asahi gallery of the official visit to Vietnam

After visiting My Son temple ruins on September 24th, the Crown Prince couple met Nguyen Van Quang, Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, at a hotel in Da Nang, and attended a luncheon.

Later, they met 11 Vietnamese doctors working at Da Nang Cancer Hospital and Japanese residents involved in Japanese language education in Vietnam.

Source: Nikkei

Japan Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko Visit World Heritage Temple Remains in Vietnam - The Japan News
[...]

“I found the place really interesting and wondered how they joined the bricks together,” Crown Prince Akishino said of the ruins during an address on the occasion.
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On September 26th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greeted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after completing from their official visit to Vietnam. They entered the Imperial Palace before 4pm.

The couple were also scheduled to greet the Emperor and Empress before leaving for Vietnam but canceled when their son Prince Hisahito had Covid-19.

Photos: FNN
 
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On October 1st, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 2023 / 78th Agency of Cultural Affairs Arts Festival opening performance "Puccini's Suor Angelica / Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortilèges" at the New National Theatre in Shibuya, Tokyo.

This event was transferred from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako after succession.

Photos: Sankei, FNN
 
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On October 4th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 2023 / 32nd Blue Planet Prize award ceremony and reception at Tokyo Kaikan.

Photos: FNN, Getty Images

Crown Couple Attends Award Ceremony for Blue Planet Environmental Prize in Tokyo - The Japan News
[...]

“I hope this award becomes an opportunity to raise the awareness of people around the world about the environment, and to encourage people to take action,” the crown prince said in a speech at the ceremony.
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the opening ceremony of a convention for people of Japanese descent living abroad in Tokyo today, October 16:


** Pic ** gettyimages gallery **
 
On October 18th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the autumn memorial service at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Photos: AP Images, Sankei

Later, the Crown Prince couple attended the reception of the Japan Foundation Award 50th Anniversary at Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: Sankei, AFLO Images

Crown Prince Attends Japan Foundation Awards Reception; Writer Yoko Ogawa, Director Satoshi Miyagi among Honorees - The Japan News
[...]

At the reception, the Imperial couple amicably chatted with the recipients of the awards this year, including theater director Satoshi Miyagi and writer Yoko Ogawa.
Click to expand...
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63rd convention of Nikkei and Japanese Abroad on October 16. About 180 people from 17 countries participated.
 
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited a facility for children in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, today, October 27:


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:previous: Afterwards, the Crown Prince Akishino couple attended a pep rally for Kagoshima athletes at Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima.

More photos of 10/27: AP Images, 373news.com, FNN

On October 28th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the opening ceremony of the special National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities at Shiranami Stadium in Kagoshima City.

They watched basketball in Aira City and met volunteers. NTV noted Kiko's purse is made of Oshima Tsumugi fabric, a specialty of Kagoshima.

Photos: AP Images, AP Images2
 
On October 23rd, Crown Prince Akishino toured farms recommended by his patronage Dainihon Agricultural Association in Saitama Prefecture cities.

- Kawagoe, flowers
- Okegawa, dairy
- Saitama, arrowhead tubers (kuwai)

Photos: Sankei, Sankei Imperial Weekly 818

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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Ibaraki Prefecture November 11-12 for the 46th National Tree Growing Festival.

November 11:
- visit Prefectural Fisheries Experiment Station in Namegata City
- tended to trees planted by the Emeritus couple at the 2005 National Tree Planting Festival in Suigo Forest in Itako City
- attended presentation on children's greenery activities in Namegata City
- met greenery contributors at hotel in Mito City

November 12:
- 46th National Tree Growing Festival in Mito City
- visit Forestry Research Institute in Tsukuba City, learned research such as wood sake

Photos Nov 11: AP Images, Nikkansports, ibarakinews.jp, ibarakinews.jp2

Photos Nov 12: AP Images, Sankei, Nikkei

https://twitter.com/x/status/1723684462192689156
 
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Crown Prince Akishino as President of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums visited the Saitama Aquarium in Hanyu, Saitama Prefecture, today, November 16:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **
 
On November 15th, Crown Prince Akishino attended the Dainihon Agricultural Association's 2023 (Reiwa 5) Agricultural Achievement Awards Ceremony at Akasaka Intercity AIR in Minato, Tokyo. He is patron of the association.

Photos: AP Images


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iceflower said:
Crown Prince Akishino as President of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums visited the Saitama Aquarium in Hanyu, Saitama Prefecture, today, November 16:


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Crown Prince Akishino later attended the 68th aquarium technician study group at Royal Pines Hotel Urawa in Saitama City on November 16.

Source: https://www.saitama-np.co.jp/articles/54995/postDetail

The Saitama Aquarium celebrated it's 40th anniversary in October and has Hirenaganashiki carp which was bred at the suggestion of Emperor Emeritus Akihito. [Sankei]


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On November 16th, Crown Princess Kiko met the 71st Honolulu Cherry Blossom Queen, 3 princesses, and executives from the Honolulu Nikkei Junior Chamber at the Akishino residence for about 30 minutes. She expressed sympathies for the wildfire damages Maui suffered in August and gratitude for the warm welcome when she and her husband visited Hawaii in 2018.

Photos: FNN, Sankei, TBS
 
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On November 20th, Crown Princess Kiko attended the opening ceremony of the 50th Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media at With Harajuku Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Photo: NHK

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On November 22nd, Crown Prince Akishino attended the Japan Fisheries Association's 2023 (Reiwa 5) Fisheries Achievement Awards Ceremony at Akasaka Intercity AIR in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: AP Images, Yomiuri, FNN (includes photos of 2012 Vietnam trip for research)
 
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On the evening of November 28th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko joined President Võ Văn Thưởng of Vietnam and his wife Phan Thị Thanh Tâm at the 50th anniversary ceremony of Japan-Vietnam diplomatic relations at Meiji Kinenkan in Minato, Tokyo

Photos: FNN, AP Images

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Crown Prince Akishino turns 58 on November 30.

Birthday photos and video were taken at the Akishino residence garden on November 18. Press conference was held at Akasaka East residence on November 27.

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi (includes 2023 highlights), AP Images

Transcript of press conference (Japanese) https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/kaiken/show/66

Summary:
- explanation of residence renovations, why Kako ended up living separately, why changes to original plan were not made public sooner, costs
- creating new rooms for Mako and Kako would be wasteful since they will eventually marry and leave Imperial status. This was a family consensus
- former Chichibu residence was aging after 50 years
- office space and public rooms accounted for most of the space increase
- private area increased about 5%
- agrees plan changes and Kako's living situation should have been disclosed earlier
- besides security and privacy concerns, other opinions were needed which took time and his own hesitation/procrastination. He regrets the extremely late announcement.
- Akishino was asked about new PR office and his past statement about information dissemination
- He's not personally involved with the new PR office but believes it is a good start
- when asked about his prior statements about "setting standards" to counter inaccurate news: he repeats it's difficult to set standards and various considerations of sources (media, internet, etc.) but there needs to be some kind of guidelines to deal with such issues
- he was asked about press and social media criticizing the Akishino family: difficult to express his thoughts, would focus on a broader view. there are many internet users, the percentage of those who say extreme things is quite low
- mentions Kako's successful visit to Peru, sign language and working hard
- Hisahito will come of age next September, mentions his research in dragonflies and studying. it's important that Hisahito should to do what he wants in terms of career
- refrains from discussing the new government panel on Imperial membership/succession, except that activities will need to be reviewed as current family members age or leave on marriage
- other impressions: transition from Covid-19 pandemic, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, climate change, increasing encounters with wildlife (bears in Akita Prefecture & Tohoku region), Princess Yuriko's 100th birthday, Emperor Emeritus Akihito will be 90 in December

Crown Prince Admits Lack of Explanation on Residence Renovation | Nippon.com
[...]

The Crown Prince, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, said that it was "very important to release important information in a timely manner."

He explained that of the expanded area of the residence, 66 pct is for offices of Imperial Household Agency staff who work for his family, 29 pct for his official business room, and 5 pct for the family's private quarters.

He added that the residence does not include rooms for his two daughters, Mako Komuro, who left the Imperial Family upon her marriage in October 2021, and Princess Kako, based on their consensus that it would be wasteful to create such rooms.

[...]
Click to expand...

Japan crown prince says review of official royal duties required - Kyodo News
[...]

"It would be difficult to pass on (official duties) if the number (of imperial family members) decreases," the crown prince told journalists in Tokyo earlier this week.

[...]

As to roles as a patron or honorary patron of various associations and organizations that imperial members assume, the crown prince said, "Regarding those specialized in certain fields, imperial family members should not take on roles unless they are interested" in those particular areas.

Asked about notable events of the past year, the crown prince lamented Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the conflict between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel in Gaza.

"My heart ached in the extreme" after many children fell victim during the war in Gaza, the crown prince said.

One positive the crown prince highlighted was the fact people in Japan can again interact face to face following the downgrade of the legal status of COVID-19 to the same as seasonal influenza in May.

[...]

Since the 28-year-old Princess Kako will leave the imperial family if she marries a commoner, the crown prince said he "had not intended to make a room at the residence (for her) from the start."

"As it is a private matter and due to the security aspect, we did not make it public," the crown prince said.

[...]

"I had been slow and hesitant. I regret that the (announcement) was extremely delayed," the crown prince said.

On Princess Kako's marriage, the crown prince said, "If she talks about it to us, we will closely listen to her and tell her our thinking," but added there is "nothing in particular" that he and Princess Kako are discussing on the topic.

[...]

On [Prince Hisahito's] future, including enrollment to university, the crown prince said, "The most important thing is what he wants to do. I think it is good if he goes to a place where he can do that."
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Princess Aiko and other Imperial family members visited the Akishino residence for birthday greetings on November 30 and Crown Prince Akishino visited Their Majesties and Emeritus couple.

Photos of Aiko entering Akasaka Estate: AP Images, FNN (includes past photos)
TV Tokyo compilation of birthday video and press conference
 
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On October 7th, Crown Princess Kiko attended the 22nd Congress of the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies (FAOPS 2023) at the Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Photos: AFLO Images

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On December 1st, Crown Princess Kiko attended the premiere screening of "In the Age of Grief Care" at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The documentary film follows the bereaved families of Ikeda Elementary School stabbing victims and monks who provided emotional care to people after the Great East Japan Earthquake. She met participants of the documentary afterwards.

Photos: Sankei
grief-care-movie.com

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On December 1st, Akishino family top aide Takaharu Kachi touched on Crown Prince Akishino's admission from the birthday press conference about being "hesitant, procrastinating and regretful" regarding Princess Kako's separate living situation announcement.

Kachi refrained from commenting on his reaction but said, "It is a very concerning/scary matter. [I/we] will accept take this seriously [take it to heart] and serve you."

Source: FNN
 
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Crown Prince Akishino attended a biology-related international award ceremony in Tokyo yesterday, December 14:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **
 
On December 22nd, Crown Prince Akishino attended the 67th Japan Student Science Awards at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Koto, Tokyo.

Photo: Yomiuri

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Prisma said:
On November 20th, Crown Princess Kiko attended the opening ceremony of the 50th Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media at With Harajuku Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Photo: NHK

[...]
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Photo: https://steranet.jp/articles/-/2551

Video: simultaneous English translation of Kiko's speech ~5:55
Opening Ceremony | Japan Prize International Contest For Educational Media 2023
 
Crown Princess Kiko is ill.

The Imperial Household Agency has announced on January 6th that Crown Princess Kiko is suffering from gastrointestinal problems and her symptoms have worsened in recent days. The Crown Princess has been in poor health since late last year and her doctors report that she is unable to eat her usual meals and that from now on her official duties will be adjusted considering her physical condition just before participation, so her presence will no longer be certain.
The Crown Princess tests negative for Covid-19.

Her presence at Emperor Showa's memorial ceremony will depend on her health tomorrow. Consideration is being given to subjecting Crown Princess Kiko to further testing.

Sources: Asahi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei
 
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Goodness gracious, the poor women of this family always face suffering one way or another.

Wishing nothing but the best for Kiko.
 
MarieAmelie_95 said:
Crown Princess Kiko is ill.

The Imperial Household Agency has announced on January 6th that Crown Princess Kiko is suffering from gastrointestinal problems and her symptoms have worsened in recent days. The Crown Princess has been in poor health since late last year and her doctors report that she is unable to eat her usual meals and that from now on her official duties will be adjusted considering her physical condition just before participation, so her presence will no longer be certain.
The Crown Princess tests negative for Covid-19.

Her presence at Emperor Showa's memorial ceremony will depend on her health tomorrow. Consideration is being given to subjecting Crown Princess Kiko to further testing.

Sources: Asahi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei
Click to expand...

:sad: I hope CP Kiko gets well soon and her illness isn't too serious.
 
Best wishes to Crown Princess Kiko for a quick recovery.

She attended the morning memorial for Emperor Showa on January 7 with shortened time in traditional clothing for her health. Afterwards, she was examined by an Imperial Household Agency doctor and advised to rest for at least 1-2 days.

Thus, she canceled appearances at:
- evening memorial for Emperor Showa on January 7.
- joint appearance with Princess Kako at "43rd Sign Language Kyogen Early Spring Meeting" on January 8. Kako will attend alone.

Crown Princess Kiko has attended the Sign Language Kyogen 12 times and is very disappointed to cancel appearances. This past week, she met officials from Boshi-Aiiku-kai on January 4 and Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association on January 5, concerned about the victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Sources: TBS, Jiji, NTV
 
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I wish Princess Kiko has a good recovery.
 
MarieAmelie_95 said:
Crown Princess Kiko is ill.

The Imperial Household Agency has announced on January 6th that Crown Princess Kiko is suffering from gastrointestinal problems and her symptoms have worsened in recent days. The Crown Princess has been in poor health since late last year and her doctors report that she is unable to eat her usual meals and that from now on her official duties will be adjusted considering her physical condition just before participation, so her presence will no longer be certain.
The Crown Princess tests negative for Covid-19.

Her presence at Emperor Showa's memorial ceremony will depend on her health tomorrow. Consideration is being given to subjecting Crown Princess Kiko to further testing.

Sources: Asahi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, TBS NEWS DIG, Sankei
Click to expand...

:previous: The Imperial Household Agency announced that Crown Princess Kiko underwent further tests and an endoscopy for her gastrointestinal complaints that have worsened in recent days at a Tokyo hospital on January 10th. The tests are not managed to determine the cause of her ailments (however no risk of cancer) and it is hypothesized that the stomach/intestinal problems are due to gastrointestinal dysfunction. The Crown Princess continues to have poor health and is unable to eat. She has been advised to rest as it will take a month or two to recover.

The Crown Princess intends to attend the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) ceremony on January 11th at the Imperial Palace.

Sources: Mainichi, Sankei, Yomiuri

Personally I don't understand the point of such a choice: the Princess is ill, and therefore participates? She shouldn't be resting as recommended? Would the Princess prefer to risk feeling ill at the event?
 
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