Crown Prince Naruhito & Crown Princess Masako Current Events 6: Ja.2016 - April 2019


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On September 21st, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited a senior facility in Sumida, Tokyo. They watched exercise and handicraft activities and interacted with some of the residents.

Their visit is connected to Respect for the Aged Day, celebrated on September 17 this year.

Photos: Asahi, Getty Images
 
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Prisma said:
CP Naruhito will visit Fukuoka Prefecture September 25-26 for the 4th World Social Science Forum and to inspect the reconstruction from last summer's heavy rains. For now, CP Masako is scheduled to attend as well.

Sep 25: disabled children's center in Shingu town, opening ceremony of the 4th World Social Science Forum in Fukuoka City
Sep 26: briefing on recovery, meeting victims in temporary housing in Asakura city

[...]
Click to expand...

The CP couple flew to Fukuoka Prefecture on September 25th. About the visit to Asakura City tomorrow, around 100 people still live in temporary housing. Some are feeling discouraged about the future. The chairperson of the resident's association is looking forward to the couple's visit to boost reconstruction and morale. [Asahi]

Some early photos/video: Sankei, Asahi

https://twitter.com/x/status/1044444702936711168
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044455383933235200
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044448803326050304
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044436857277177856
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044423748697255936
https://twitter.com/minakata2011/status/1044548519464300544

ETA: CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited Fukuoka Prefectural Kasuya Shinko-En, a facility for disabled children, in Shingu. They attended the opening ceremony of the 4th World Social Science Forum. It's the first time this conference has been held in Japan.

Photos: Sankei
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028397272.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028398187.jpg
The CP couple leaving the conference:
https://twitter.com/speedsys6358/status/1044615809828511744

ETA: Getty Images includes the forum's reception. CP Masako is making progress; I believe she attended all events for the 25th. In the past, she attended the opening ceremony but not the reception.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_swYeLLL5UE
 
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On September 26th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited residents living in temporary housing in Asakura, Fukuoka Prefecture. The city was was hit hard by the torrential rains in July 2017; 33 people died and 2 people remain missing. They were also briefed on the damage and reconstruction from the mayor.

Sources: NHK

Photos: Getty Images
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028407036.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180926/lif1809260045-p2.jpg
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044958207314022400

Another video of yesterday's arrival at the international conference center:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044748513429512192

This tweeter was secretly shown the couple's schedule and was surprised the routes and entrances were set in minute increments. The person nearly cried when the CP couple appeared.
https://twitter.com/x/status/1044747854265249792

ETA: Address by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince at the Opening Ceremony of the World Social Science Forum 2018 - Tuesday, September 25, 2018 - The Imperial Household Agency

Crown Prince, Princess visit flood victims in Kyushu | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN
 
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On September 27th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the International Youth Exchange Conference held at Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The annual conference began in 1994 to commemorate their marriage. The CP couple participated in an English discussion on sustainable development goals (SDGs) with 9 people from six countries including Laos and Chile.

CP Naruhito attended the following reception alone.

Photos: Sankei, Getty Images
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/image...06807b049e0dc9d1f22966bc0e21fe503c9f8b2ad.jpg
 
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.

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrived at Oita Airport in Kunisaki, Oita Prefecture, today, October 6:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **
 
It is good to see the couple out and about. It looks like Princess Masako is her old self again.
 
After arrival in Oita Prefecture, the couple visited an art exhibition by people with disabilities at the prefectural museum. In the afternoon, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the opening ceremony of the 33rd National Cultural Festival and 18th National Arts & Culture Festival for Persons with Disabilities. They spoke with ceremony participants afterwards.

CP Naruhito and CP Masako return to Tokyo on the 7th after attending some performances.

Photos: Sankei 1, Sankei 2 galleries

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do3o2zRUYAEJVSs.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028504926.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028504917.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/10/07/20181007k0000m040031000p/9.jpg
https://nordot-res.cloudinary.com/t_size_m/ch/images/421325912023139425/origin_1.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Do1swRBU4AAwAPz.jpg
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/photo/20181007/20181007-OYS1I50006-L.jpg

Some photos from Japan twitter:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048472720512507904
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048564317145116674

https://twitter.com/x/status/1048777434861002754
 
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On October 7th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended a chorus performance in Tsukumi City, Oita Prefecture and a "Pinocchio Concert" at the Argerich Arts Foundation in Beppu City. Argentine classical concert pianist Martha Argerich has a long history with Beppu City. Pinocchio Concerts offer quality classical music to children and adults, usually free or with admission fees as low as possible. [Jiji]

Photos: Sankei, Asahi
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028512962.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/10/08/20181008k0000m040059000p/9.jpg

Pinocchio Concerts, Argerich Arts Foundation

Excellent photos from Japan twitter:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048915370650660865
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048882700843536391
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048874582566793216
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048854999097200640
https://twitter.com/x/status/1048856670502182912

https://twitter.com/FNN_News/status/1049141080455860224
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNMeYbCEN4
 
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What an adorable photo--the kitty was definitely the star of that encounter!

Nice to see the the CP family together at an engagement.
And wow, cannot believe how much Aiko has grown up in the last year.
 
Yes, the kitty was a favorite. The movie screening benefits Japan Animal Protection Association.

The actor Sota Fukushi was interviewed about his experience with the Crown Prince family. He was nervous. He sat next to Aiko; she asked how he felt watching himself on screen. After the movie finished, Princess Aiko thanked him and said she was impressed. The family asked about the book, filming, Nana's animal trainer, and his experience working with the cat. Also mentioned was that one of Aiko's cats is named Seven and the movie/book's Nana is 7 in Japanese.
Source: https://eigaland.com/topics/?p=88179

https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/10/16/20181016k0000m040107000p/9.jpg

Getty Images

More photos/video from twitter:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1051876811993313281
https://twitter.com/x/status/1052016559764299777
https://twitter.com/x/status/1051940039385481216
https://twitter.com/x/status/1051937402699169792
https://twitter.com/x/status/1052030398035779584
 
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On October 18th, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako met with Governor Ryuta Igaki of Okayama Prefecture at Togu Palace for an update on the prefecture's reconstruction since July's torrential rain. The couple inquired after the residents, housing situation, and offered encouragement.
Source: sanyonews.jp

A plaque was installed to commemorate the CP couple's attendance at the 100th Japanese High School Baseball Championship in Hyogo Prefecture on August 5th.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqBBofTU8AIMZAy.jpg
https://twitter.com/x/status/1053914495217627137
 
On November 1st, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the Lighthouse 150th anniversary ceremony held at the Palace Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda, Tokyo. The event is hosted by the Japanese Coast Guard. Japan's first western style lighthouse was built in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1868.

Photos: Sankei, Jiji, AP Images
 
On November 17th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 42nd National Tree Growing Festival which is held in Tokyo this year. At Sea Forest Park, they tended the ginkgo trees Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko planted in 1996. Sea Forest Park will be the venue for the equestrian competition at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Afterwards, CP Naruhito attended a roundtable with officials at Tokyo Prince Hotel. A ceremony at Musashino Forest Sports Plaza and lunch at Jindaiji Suijinen are scheduled for the 18th. [Jiji]

Tree growing festival photos from Sankei, Kyodo, and Mainichi:
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181117/lif1811170041-p1.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181117/lif1811170041-p2.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181117/lif1811170041-p3.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181117/lif1811170041-p4.jpg
https://nordot-res.cloudinary.com/t_size_l/ch/images/436442868850132065/origin_1.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/11/18/20181118k0000m040026000p/9.jpg
https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20181117002618_comm.jpg

ETA: AP Images, Asahi
https://twitter.com/x/status/1063738246994243584

ETA: On November 18th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 42nd National Tree Growing Festival's ceremony at Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Chōfu, Tokyo.

Photos: AP Images, Asahi
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181118/lif1811180027-p1.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/181118/lif1811180027-p2.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028894068.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028894056.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/11/19/20181119k0000m040030000p/9.jpg

The CP couple at Jindaiji Suijinen for lunch.
https://twitter.com/x/status/1064016590683795462
https://twitter.com/x/status/1064068074771374083
https://twitter.com/x/status/1064065941426688000
 
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Some obvious symbolism with the CP couple tending the tree that the Emperor and Empress planted. Not that that was intentional or anything...;)

Nice to see Masako out and about, although I notice that it is still easy to see when she is totally comfortable and relaxed, and when she is struggling a bit. I hope that she is not being pressured unduly to increase her engagements.
 
I am nervous for Masako. The enthronement has so many ceremonies and she has to wear a Jūnihitoe at least twice. However, we can do nothing but hope and trust in her medical team.

On November 21st, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako attended the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Japan PTA National Association at Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Early photos:
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028918642.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0028918640.jpg
 
Yes, I am increasingly nervous for her, too. I assume that all of this is being factored into the planning, and that there is coordination between her medical team and the team planning the enthronement, but past history is not reassuring. On the other hand, she has clearly made a lot of progress: five years ago who would have guessed she would have been able to do as much as she has just in the last few months?
 
Ista said:
Yes, I am increasingly nervous for her, too. I assume that all of this is being factored into the planning, and that there is coordination between her medical team and the team planning the enthronement, but past history is not reassuring. On the other hand, she has clearly made a lot of progress: five years ago who would have guessed she would have been able to do as much as she has just in the last few months?
Click to expand...
I agree. Masako has made so much progress. I'm just worried there's a limit to the government's accommodations. Of course, reducing and spacing out the number of banquets from 7 to 4 isn't just for Masako. I would not be surprised should her medical team have Masako skip some events to focus on attending on major ceremonies. Other concerns are the court and Shinto rituals. It's still rare for her to attend those activities; to my knowledge, Masako last attended a court ritual in April 2016 for Emperor Jimmu and that was a first in 7 years.

Some videos of recent events: 70th anniversary of PTA on November 21

42nd National Tree Growing Festival on November 17-18
 
.

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako met with King Abdullah and Queen Rania at a hotel in Tokyo today, November 26:


** Pic ** belga gallery **
 
Prisma said:
I agree. Masako has made so much progress. I'm just worried there's a limit to the government's accommodations. Of course, reducing and spacing out the number of banquets from 7 to 4 isn't just for Masako. I would not be surprised should her medical team have Masako skip some events to focus on attending on major ceremonies. Other concerns are the court and Shinto rituals. It's still rare for her to attend those activities; to my knowledge, Masako last attended a court ritual in April 2016 for Emperor Jimmu and that was a first in 7 years.
Click to expand...

I had noticed this, as well. Do you know what it is about those rituals, especially the Shinto rituals, that might be so taxing for Masako? Since the Emperor and Empress have those as a significant part of their duties, it seems that not participating in those might not go over at all well--public perception being what it is.
 
Sorry for the delay. I don't know exactly what happens for rituals. From bits here and there, the major rituals are long and require kimonos.

At the top of The Ritual Ceremonies of the Imperial Palace - The Imperial Household Agency, you see Empress Michiko in the multi-layer Jūnihitoe for the Spring festival.

The Niiname ritual features bathing, robes, offerings, ancient music, prayers, and long periods in Seiza (sitting with legs tucked under). More info at Asahi and Mainichi articles.

Minor rituals may follow a similar format with less requirements or shorter durations. From videos of family entering the Imperial Palace for rituals, I see princes in morning dress and princesses in cream/pastel court dress + hats.

Although Masako returned to New Year's lectures this year, she did not attend New Year's poetry readings as her medical team didn't think she's ready for that ceremony's duration and required gestures. Probably court rituals are taxing for the same reason.
 
Prisma, thank you so much for the links to those articles; those are a great resource!

I was wondering why Masako participated in the lectures but not the poetry readings, and didn't realize it was not just a matter of the length, but of required gestures. Since she has been participating so much more in the last few months, it will be interesting to see how much of the expected New Year and winter events she will be able to handle, and to what degree.
 
CNN has an article about Crown Princess Masako, where she is expressing how insecure and awed she feels prior to becoming an empress.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/12/10/asia/crown-princess-masako-intl/index.html

Despite her depression, I find it considerably more reassuring that she admits to being insecure than if she said she felt confident.
IMO if you feel confident about taking over as monarch, then perhaps you are not suited.
 
On February 8th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 64th National Youth Book Report Contest award ceremony at Keidanren Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. They also met the winners from elementary to high school. It's Masako first attendance in 17 years since entering longterm medical care.

https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0029552377.jpg
https://www.jiji.com/news/photos/photo_news/images/658/0029552376.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dy3wlr6UUAEvcKJ.jpg

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190208/lif1902080048-p1.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190208/lif1902080048-p2.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190208/lif1902080048-p3.jpg

Masako's last appearance in 2002: Getty Image

ETA: AP Images

Crown Prince, Princess make appearance at national book report contest - The Mainichi
[...] During his speech, Crown Prince Naruhito referred to his father Emperor Akihito's address delivered at the contest's ceremony in the past as then crown prince, in which he stated, "I would like everyone here to acquire the habit of reading while thinking and become a person with a broad perspective and generous mind."

[...]

During a subsequent gathering with children attending the event, Crown Princess Masako said, "It is great that you have encountered good books."

The winning book reports were chosen from a total of 4,146,941 submitted to the competition from a total of 25,594 schools across the country.

[...]
Click to expand...
 
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Prisma said:
On February 8th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 64th National Youth Book Report Contest award ceremony at Keidanren Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. They also met the winners from elementary to high school. It's Masako first attendance in 17 years since entering longterm medical care.

I'm always delighted when I see smiling future Emperatrice Masako....
Click to expand...
 
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On March 25th, the Crown Prince family arrived at JR Nagano station in Nagano for their spring break; they will stay several days. About 160 well-wishers greeted the family, including a woman in her 40s, in a wheelchair, who welcomed them for years. CP Masako thanked her for coming and asked after the lady's physical condition. The woman hopes the CP family will be able to come next year.

Sources: Jiji, NHK

Sankei gallery, Getty Images

AP Images (ignore the incorrect caption. The family arrived at Nagano station, not departing from Nagano for Tokyo)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2ffzlyVAAEjBRt.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D2fgSMaU8AAecLw.jpg

ETA: Nikkei reports this may be the last year the CP family spends spring break in Nagano. Since CP Masako remains in longterm treatment, the IHA requested the media not disclose specific places or lengths of stay to "ensure a quiet environment."
 
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