Okayama Visit of Princess Akishino | IMPERIAL FAMILY OF JAPANOn 14th November, HIH Princess Kiko of Akishino visited Okayama Prefecture to inspect the activities of Imperial Gift Foundation for Maternal and Child Health (Boshi-Aiiku-Kai) in Okayama.
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Princess Kiko and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands will visit Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures November 23-24th. Prince Akishino will join them on the 24th.
On the 23rd, the princesses will visit Nagasaki Hypocenter Park, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, and a concert at Nagasaki Brick Hall. Princess Laurentien will visit the site of the second location of Fukuoka Prisoners (Kashiwa Camp) and Inaza Sosuji International Cemetery (Akebono) which housed allied prisoners of war including Dutch troops during wartime.
On the 24th, the Akishino couple and Princess Laurentien will attend the ceremony to celebrate the restoration of Dejima Kaimonbashi (Dejima Former Dutch Trading Post) and following reception. According to the prefecture, it’s the first visit from a Dutch royal in 17 years. Then Crown Prince Willem-Alexander attended the "400th anniversary of relations between Japan and the Netherlands" in Nagasaki City in April 2000.
On the morning of the 24th, Princess Kiko and Princess Laurentien will visit the Ceramic Bureau, Izuymiaya Quarry (origin of Arita porcelain), and the prefectural ceramic technology center in Arita, Saga Prefecture.
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Prince Akishino ... said he is "relieved" that an abdication law was enacted...
"I hope (Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko) will spend a relaxing time" after the 83-year-old emperor's abdication, Prince Akishino said at a press conference on Nov. 22 prior to his birthday.
At the same time, Prince Akishino denied concerns over possible dual authority between the new and old emperors.
"I can say clearly that it is impossible" that there would be dual authority as the emperor plans to pass on all of his public duties to the new emperor, he said.
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... Prince Akishino will be first in line to the throne. On his hopes, the prince said, "As it is unprecedented, there are many things that I cannot imagine. I presume (the new duties) would be done through trial and error."
The prince said he hopes to take on the duties executed by Crown Prince Naruhito "as much as possible." But concerning who will take on his current duties, the prince said he needs to consult with the crown prince.
With his eldest daughter Princess Mako, 26, and her fiance Kei Komuro, a university classmate, Prince Akishino said his impression of Komuro is that the fiance is "extremely honest."
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The prince's wife, Princess Kiko, who also attended the press conference, said, "I sincerely hope that the two will build and go through a happy life together." [...]
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Kiko shared an anecdote of Komuro once entertaining them by playing piano.
She added that their second daughter Princess Kako, who is currently studying in Britain, is enjoying her school life.
Asked about her future marriage prospects, Fumihito said, “I would like to respect her will as much as possible.”
And with regard to his son Hisahito, he said, “I would like him to visit many different parts of Japan first-hand to deepen his understanding of different cultures and lifestyles that are specific to the places.”
Japan's Prince and Princess Akishino will visit Hawaii in early June for about a week.
This year marks 150 years since Japanese began immigrating to Hawaii. The couple will take part in a commemorating ceremony on June 7th.
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And on June 6th the couple is scheduled to participate in an event which is part of the world convention of people of Japanese ancestry.
The annual convention, which is normally held in Japan, is to be held in Hawaii this year.
While in Hawaii, Prince and Princess Akishino are expected to actively take part in meetings with people of Japanese descent [...]
A moment of silence was observed at 2:46 PM, the exact time when the massive quake hit.
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Prince Akishino said his heart is with the people who are working for the reconstruction, despite continuing difficulties, and he hopes that they will be able to live in peace and good health as soon as possible.
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