Crown Prince Naruhito Current Events Part 1: July 2005 - December 2017

[Mermaid1962]

Does this include religious duties as well?

HIH the Crown Prince Naruhito has temporarily assumed the Emperor’s duties in his absence.
One day trip to Nadai (Yamanachi pref.) on November 15th, 2011.

 

[Kasumi]

Does this include religious duties as well?

It includes part of the duties, the other part is performed by shinto priests from the Imperial family personal shrine. The Crown Prince has not been inaugurated as a monarch to perform some of the rituals yet.

HIH the Crown Prince Naruhito visits HM the Emperor at the hospital in the evening on November 18th, 2011.

**Pic** - credits Kyodo

 

[Kasumi]

HIH the Crown Prince Naruhito visiting Nara on November 21st, 2011.

**Pic 1** **Pic 2**

We were extremely lucky to see him during our Nara tour!

 

[Mermaid1962]

Are these your own pictures? Must have been exciting to see the Prince.

 

[Kasumi]

Are these your own pictures? Must have been exciting to see the Prince.

Oh, you have no idea, how exciting it was! And so unexpected.
There was someone else (The Crown Prince's aide, I suppose) in the auto. That man was hiding himself and letting us to see the Kotaishi (the heir). It was awesome!

 

[Mermaid1962]

There's really "something in the air" when there's a royal visit. It's hard to explain, but it's very exciting stuff.

Oh, you have no idea, how exciting it was! And so unexpected.

 

[Kasumi]

Japan looks to future with earnest crown prince | Reuters
[...]
Naruhito's prominence while his 77-year-old father recovers from what court officials say is a mild case of pneumonia has given Japan a fresh look at the scholarly, unassuming man who likes animals and watching sumo wrestling with his 9-year-old daughter, Aiko.
Whereas Emperor Akihito had a relatively clear role to play when he ascended the Chrysanthemum throne, trying to heal the wounds of a war waged across Asia in the name of his father, Emperor Hirohito, Naruhito, 51, may find it harder to forge a path of his own.
And Naruhito may also have to carve out a role largely on his own.

 

[Kasumi]

Japan's' crown prince takes spotlight - Tokyo Times

*****
HIH the Crown Prince presides at the martial arts tournament at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 28, 2011. The tournament marks 125th anniversary of the Imperial Guard.

**Pic** - credits Kyodo

 

[Kasumi]

HIH the Crown Prince has attended the ceremony of 140 years anniversary of the Chiyoda elementary school in Tokyo. The school was founded in 1871, and was the first to use Western methods of teaching.

**Pic 1** **Pic 2** **Pic 3**

Article + video - tbc news

 

[iceflower]

__________________


Crown Prince Naruhito viewed the ancient Chinese painting Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival
at Tokyo's National Museum on January 16, 2012. The work is one of 200 exhibits that were sent
for temporary display to mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of the China-Japan relations.



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **

 

[Patra]

Crown Prince Naruhito looks really great.

 

[Kasumi]

Crown Prince Naruhito viewed the ancient Chinese painting Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival...

One more photo without watermarks (credits Asahi).

 

[Kasumi]

The Crown Prince Naruhito has visited the Gakushuin Women's College on January 28th, 2012.
The Crown Prince has delivered a lecture 'Water and Disaster'. The lecture and the interaction with the class lasted for an hour and a half.

**Pic 1** **Pic 2** - sankei

 

[Kasumi]

HIH the Crown Prince Naruhito visiting the 12th National Japanese language contest in Tokyo on February 4th, 2012.
The Crown Prince consented to present the awards to the winners.

**Pic** - sponichi.co.jp

 

[ChiaraC]

Crown Prince cancels France visit

Crown Prince Naruhito has canceled a plan to visit France this month for the World Water Forum to be held in Marseille, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.

The Crown Prince will concentrate on covering Emperor Akihito's affairs of state [...]

A researcher on water transportation systems and water-related issues, the Crown Prince planned to give a speech on water-related disasters in connection with last March's earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan [...]

The Japan Times

I am sure that the crown prince is very sorry that he will be unable to attend the World Water Forum. He has said oftentimes that he has water issues very much at heart, and I am sure that he has been looking forward especially to maybe help other countries by sharing the horrible experience made by his nation. But of course, at present it is most important for Prince Naruhito to take over for his father, so the emperor will get the chance to rest and know that his duties are being taken good care of.

 

[Mirabel]

But of course, at present it is most important for Prince Naruhito to take over for his father, so the emperor will get the chance to rest and know that his duties are being taken good care of.

I'm sure other members of the family could fill in for the Emperor, as far as fulfilling his duties.

I think it is more likely fears for his father's health that keep the Crown Prince from leaving his country at this time.

 

[iceflower]

__________________


Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been received by Crown Prince Naruhito for a meeting
at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo March 8, 2012. Yingluck is in Japan for a four-day visit.



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **

 

[ChiaraC]

I'm sure other members of the family could fill in for the Emperor, as far as fulfilling his duties.

I think it is more likely fears for his father's health that keep the Crown Prince from leaving his country at this time.

Considering that the crown prince – unlike us - probably already knew that there were complications with his father´s recovery process when he canceled the trip to France, I suppose you are right. Concerns for his father´s health certainly played a role.
But while other members of the IF could, of course, “technically” fill in for the emperor, imo it is also important that it is the first duty of the crown prince to do that. I think that one of the reasons why the emperor has difficulties to “let go” is that he is afraid that nobody will be able to do things as well as he. That the crown prince cancels a trip that he had set his heart upon in order to step in for the emperor, is imo also a message to his father: “Don´t worry, I know my duties and I will always put them first. Relax.”

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra met Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito yesterday and wished his father Emperor Akihito, who underwent heart bypass surgery last month, a speedy recovery.

The prince thanked Ms Yingluck for her concern and for her planned visit to a tsunami-hit city in northeast Japan, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Bangkok Post

 

[Al_bina]

Thanks for the update!
It is nice to see Crown Prince Naruhito partly taking over his father's duties.

 

[ChiaraC]

Lytvyn invites Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito to visit Ukraine

“During a meeting I’ve invited Crown Prince to visit Ukraine. He said that he’ll do with pleasure when a decision is made under a procedure existing in Japan,” Lytvyn told reporters on March 9 after a meeting with Crown Prince Naruhito.

The speaker said that a problem that unites Ukraine and Japan – the issue of Chornobyl and Fukushima – and cooperation in the area were discussed at the meeting.

Lytvyn said that another issue for discussion was the issue of how Ukraine ensures safe conditions for living. In addition, Crown Prince was interested in provision of high-quality water in Ukraine.

Photo gallery

 

[ChiaraC]

Crown Prince Naruhito meets Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold

The Prime Minister of Mongolia S.Batbold, who is on an official visit to Japan upon the invitation from the Japanese Government, together with his spouse Mrs. Kh.Otgontuya paid a visit to the Crown Prince Naruhito's Palace and was received in audience by the Prince of Japan on March 12, 2012.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister has expressed his sorrow on the lives taken away and the loss that Japan faced when a catastrophic disaster struck Japan on March 11 last year and his credibility upon that the diligent people of Japan would rebuild their country in near future and emphasized that his schedule for this visit has been put forward by a day in order to attend the commemorating ceremony for the victims of the disaster. [...]

The Crown Prince Naruhito visited Mongolia in 2007 and was familiarized with the Mongolian culture and lifestyle hence he expressed his satisfaction on the visit and asked about the weather conditions in Mongolia, livestock matters and nomads life.

InfoMongolia.com (with picture)

 

[ChiaraC]

Crown Prince Naruhito has sent a video message in English to the World Water Forum that takes place in Marseille, France (12-17 March 2012). (He originally intended to attend the forum but canceled the trip last week because he has to step in for his recovering father.)

In his speech titled “Water and Disaster - Learning from the history of tsunamis“, the prince expressed his deep gratitude for the help that the international community had offered Japan after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami last year. He then quoted from historical descriptions of a large tsunami that had hit Japan over 1,000 years ago and that was similar in size to the March 11th earthquake.

“Learning from history is essential when addressing mega-disasters because similar events can be found only after a long span of time.”

The prince remarked that "practical lessons on how to react and respond to disasters may be learned by carefully examining and analyzing past experiences". He did not fail to gently hint at the fact that human activity plays an important part in influencing how frequently nature catastrophes happen and that there are measures that can politically be taken to protect people from at least part of the damage.

The United Nations announced in 2011 that the world population exceeded 7 billion. It reached 6 billion only 13 years ago. The rapid increase of population accelerated marginal use of freshwater. As a result, minor fluctuations of rainfall result in acute pressure on people and society. The pressure also tends to force people to live in flood-prone areas which they had formerly avoided, which might lead globally to the increased frequency and damage from floods. As shown in the inventory of recent disasters, many severe disasters are occurring globally. [...] We have learned that disasters are an integral part of a complex equation among food, energy, environment, and other key conditions that determine the stability and sustainability of the world. [...]

Historical lessons and experiences can be used to build a disaster-resilient society under slogans such as “living with water-related disasters”. Water related disasters are one of the key urgent issues which the international community should address squarely for globally sustainable development. Disasters strike when we least expect them. I will do my best, together with you, to share and make use of the experience and lessons in Japan and elsewhere in order to help build a safer and better future for all.

The prince used several photos and maps to illustrate his speech, here for example Sendai Airport of Miyagi Prefecture before and after the catastrophe.

I landed at this airport on June 4th, 2011 when I visited the affected area. When the airplane started its descent, I was dumbfounded. I witnessed ruined levees off the coast, completely torn-down pine trees along the seashore, and vast barren lands where there ought to have been lively towns and streets.

This picture is of Ofunato City in Iwate Prefecture (Figure 10). After disembarking from the helicopter, my wife and I visited the evacuees in Ofunato City, north of Rikuzen-takata. We were deeply impressed by their positive attitude and spirit. Despite all the hardships and inconvenience of living in temporary houses away from home, they were united to help one another, had established a community group, and were overcoming difficulties patiently, and step by step (Figure 11).

*
The emperor is scheduled to meet the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who will visit Japan from March, 20. (Source) But as the emperor is still recuperating, I suppose that his son will cover that engagement for him.
The crown prince and princess made an official visit to Kuwait in January 1995.

 

[ChiaraC]

Crown prince congratulates medical award winners

Crown Prince Naruhito met with recipients of the 40th Yomiuri Awards for Medical Dedication at the Imperial Palace on Friday, to show appreciation for the efforts of medical professionals working under difficult circumstances.

"I deeply appreciate your enduring efforts that have strongly supported various people and regions and brought happiness to many," the crown prince told the 18 recipients on behalf of the Emperor, who is still recuperating from a heart bypass operation last month.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

 

[Mirabel]

Has Masako made any appearances with him recently?
It seems as if Naruhito does everything by himself.

 

[iceflower]

.

Chile's President Sebastian Pinera was received by Crown Prince Naruhito upon his arrival at the latter's
official Togu Palace residence in Tokyo on March 28, 2012. Pinera is on a three-day visit to Japan.




** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** gettyimages/daylife gallery **

 

[ChiaraC]

Thanks for the pics!

I am very glad to see that, this time, the emperor has allowed his son to take over.

 

[ChiaraC]

Monsieur François Oubida has presented his letter of credence by which the President of Burkina Faso formally grants him diplomatic accreditation as ambassador, to Crown Prince Naruhito on March 2, 2012. The event took place in the imperial palace. On the occasion, Prince Naruhito who acted on behalf of his father expressed his gratitude to the President of Burkina Faso for the moral support that he had offered Japan after the 3/11 disaster, and thanked Monsieur Oubida for visiting the victims after his arrival in Japan. (Pic, article in French)

 

[Mirabel]

Thanks for the pics!

I am very glad to see that, this time, the emperor has allowed his son to take over.

Perhaps his illness left him with little choice?

(I really suspect that the stress over problems within his family has contributed to the emperor's health problems! How could it be otherwise?)

 

[ChiaraC]

Crown Prince Naruhito Receives Parliament Leader Tsacheva

Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, received Bulgarian Parliament Chairperson Tsetska Tsacheva at his residence on Monday [...] The Crown Prince highly commended the idea that Bulgarian parliamentarians should visit one of the parts of Japan which were hit hardest by tsunami in 2011. Tsacheva was strongly impressed with the effective steps taken by the Japanese government to cope with the dire consequences of the natural disaster, and emphasized the morale, stamina, unity and diligence of the Japanese people.

Bulgarian News Agency

Mrs. Tsacheva gave to prince Naruhito "Marks of the Historical Chronicle" - finely framed copies of documents marking the important moments in the relations between Bulgaria and Japan. The set includes personal correspondence revealing the close relations of Japan's royal family with Bulgaria such as a letter written by the hand of late Emperor Hirohito notifying Bulgaria's Tsar Boris III on the birth of his first son Akihito, who is the current emperor of Japan.

Standart

 

[iceflower]

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Crown Prince Naruhito received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting at the
Togu Palace in Tokyo April 13, 2012. Abbas is in Japan for a four-day visit.



** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** daylife **