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Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne in May 2019, ending the Heisei Era and starting his reign at age 59--the second-oldest emperor ever at the time of ascension.
The crown prince has hinted what sort of emperor he intends to be. Naruhito mentioned water control and other water-related issues he researches as his life’s work, saying that it is his “new public duty in step with the era.”
The comment is based on his ideas that solving water issues can contribute to the resolution of poverty, regional conflicts over water resources and the realization of peace. It seems fair to say that it is a new style of public duty corresponding to globalization.
“Seeing things through the lens of water, he is concerned with environmental problems, poverty and other issues commonly shared by the world,” said Kenzo Hiroki, 58, a former Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism official, who has worked with Naruhito. “I feel that he is strongly motivated to care for underprivileged people.”
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In last April, Masako attended an event at Gakushuin University’s Mejiro Campus in Tokyo, talking to visually disabled people at a booth set up to raise awareness of guide dogs.
“I clearly felt Masako-sama was kind enough to talk to me eye to eye,” Mitsuo Sakamoto, 71, who is blind, recalled.
According to Eye Mate Inc., an association that trains guide dogs, Masako has been visiting the booth almost every year since 2013 when she showed up with her husband and their daughter, Princess Aiko.
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I certainly hope CP Masako will be well enough to go. I agree with the official an overseas visit is a good checkpoint before 2019. Maybe they can figure out a reasonable schedule for her.[...]
The [Imperial Household Agency] is currently arranging the crown prince's official visit to France in mid-September, according to the sources. He is expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and attend events to introduce Japanese culture.
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Whether the couple will travel together to France is likely to be decided at the last minute, but a senior official of the agency said, "We hope she will feel more confident about herself by making an overseas visit before becoming the empress."
This year marks the 160th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between Japan and France. A series of Japanese cultural events called "Japonismes 2018" will be held in Paris and elsewhere from July.
I certainly hope CP Masako will be well enough to go. I agree with the official an overseas visit is a good checkpoint before 2019. Maybe they can figure out a reasonable schedule for her.
news24.jp reports the official visit should be about week long.
It would be nice if they let her visit her parents in the Netherlands on that trip as well... When was he expected to retire? Would that be after this visit?
Thanks! 1,000 people welcomed the CP family at JR Utsunomiya station and along the route to the Imperial Stock Farm. The family last visited 3 years ago. The Akishino family also arrived on the same day to stay for a few days. [Jiji]
I can't see any reason CP Masako would not be able to do the sericulture duties of the Empress. She seems to me to be doing just fine doing her duties as CP. I don't see much evidence at all of her having difficulties in public any more.