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

[Prisma]

During their stay at Nasu Imperial Villa, the CP family climbed Chausudake and Asahidake and visited Nasu Yuzen Shrine "with Yukari in Nasu no Yoichi" (Google translate was weird here...), which is known in the Battle of Yashima from the Genpei War. According to the IHA, Princess Aiko decided to visit because she read about the Heike story in class. Aiko "resumed school cheerfully" on September 5th.

The CP couple are concerned about the damaged caused by Typhoon No. 10, in particular Iwaizumi in Iwate Prefecture where they inspected reconstruction progress in June.

On September 6th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako met with the "Osaka Junior Chamber of Commerce invited foreigners" at the Crown Prince residence. Unfortunately, no pictures yet. :-(

Source: pages 2-3 in Sankei Imperial Weekly #451

The IHA provided photos of the "Osaka Junior Chamber of Commerce invited foreigners" event the previous 3 years: 2015 2014 2013

 

[Tatiana Maria]

During their stay at Nasu Imperial Villa, the CP family climbed Chausudake and Asahidake and visited Nasu Yuzen Shrine "with Yukari in Nasu no Yoichi" (Google translate was weird here...), which is known in the Battle of Yashima from the Genpei War. According to the IHA, Princess Aiko decided to visit because she read about the Heike story in class. Aiko "resumed school cheerfully" on September 5th.

Has Aiko inherited her father's interest in history?

Heike monogatari, English The Tale of the Heike, medieval Japanese epic, which is to the Japanese what the Iliad is to the Western world—a prolific source of later dramas, ballads, and tales.
Based on the actual historical struggle between the Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) families, which convulsed Japan in civil war for some years, the Heike monogatari features the exploits of Minamoto Yoshitsune, the most popular hero of Japanese legend, and recounts many episodes of the heroism of aristocratic samurai warriors. Its overall theme is the tragic downfall of the Taira family.

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Heike-monogatari

 

[Prisma]

On September 21st, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited a nursing home in the Suginami ward of Tokyo as part of Senior Citizen's Day. The couple interacted with residents during an arts session and after a music demonstration. The Crown Prince and Akishino couples have taken over Children’s Day and Senior’s Day public service duties from the Imperial couple in recent years.

Info/galleries: Asahi, Mainichi, Sankei

Videos from NNN and ANN news: www.news24.jp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l35cBPuJKd8

 

[Prisma]

On September 28th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 50th anniversary ceremony of the National Theatre. The venue has been the stage for Kabuki, Bunraku, Noh, and other traditional Japanese performing arts such as court music. CP Naruhito's speech said arts and culture enrich people’s lives, encouraging the preservation and development of such traditions. After the ceremony, the couple watched Kabuki "Genroku hanami dance”.

Sources: Nikkei, NHK, and videos news24.jp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9yccuq9-jk

 

[Prisma]

CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the international youth training exchange meeting at the Hotel New Omani in Tokyo on September 29th. The annual event began in 1994 as a commemoration of the couple’s marriage. Japanese youth sent aboard and foreign youth in Japan are invited to discuss the themes of environment, education, and culture.

The couple listened to a presentation given by 9 delegates from 6 countries, including Dominica and Lithuania, and chatted with each delegate afterward. CP Naruhito attended the later reception alone. The press noted CP Masako’s two consecutive days of official duties.

Small photo of CP couple’s arrival at nishinippon.co.jp (ETA: bigger photo at 47news.jp but somewhat blurry)
CP Naruhito at the reception Jiji photo

Info: www.news24.jp

ETA2: another arrival photo at Sankei Imperial Weekly #454 (photo)

ETA3: a nice photo of the couple on 9/28 (I can't edit the earlier post)

 

[Prisma]

CP Masako's 3rd public event in 4 days! On October 1st, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 71st Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival opening concert, "sing dance play four seasons of Japan" at the National Theatre in Tokyo.

Photos: Jiji, Asahi, www.news24.jp video
Asahi reporter's tweet

 

[Emmily]

It's wonderful to see her out and about so much lately!

 

[Prisma]

The CP couple are scheduled to visit Iwate Prefecture October 21-23 for the National Disability Sports tournament. It's an early announcement compared to previous years and the IHA cautions attendance depends on Masako's condition so CP Naruhito might attend solo.

Source: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

CP Masako's visit to Iwate Prefecture has been cancelled. The Crown Prince staff doctors in charge of her treatment have determined the visit will be "difficult in your physical condition" after recent public service and nursing Princess Aiko. CP Masako very much regrets not being able to make the visit.

Source: Asahi




ETA: CP Naruhito will attend the 19th National Agricultural leaders summit in Gifu Prefecture November 9-10th. CP Masako may attend "depending on physical condition" cautions the IHA.

Source: Asahi 2

ETA2: According to Sankei, CP Masako attended the usual celebrations for Empress Michiko's birthday with CP Naruhito on October 20th.

ETA3: Photo of the CP couple arriving at the Imperial Palace at Jiji, which also reports Princess Aiko missed midterm exams on the 18th and the minors' greeting for Empress Michiko's birthday due to poor health.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWtvbBs3kBI
Photo of the couple arriving for Empress Michiko's birthday dinner.

 

[Mermaid1962]

In a way, I'm not surprised that she has had to cancel an engagement. We saw quite a bit of her for a while, which must have been quite tiring for her. It can take such a long time to come back from anything mental-health related, and Masako being a crown princess doesn't make things any easier for her. The concern of having a sick child would only add to her stress.

 

[Prisma]

Yes, that's very true. I can't imagine being in Masako's position and dealing with mental illness; the public/media watching for appearances and non-appearances... Hopefully she and Aiko feel better soon.

 

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, I agree. Whenever Aiko misses school, there are suggestions that she's inherited her mother's health concerns. Even if it were true, I don't think that it's fair to label a girl at this age in her life.

 

[Prisma]

On October 25th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako met with ambassadors to foreign countries.
Source: bottom of NHK

 

[Prisma]

On November 7th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of JET at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku, Tokyo. JET is an exchange program where foreigners teach language at middle and high schools. 65,000 people from 65 countries have participated so far. After the ceremony, CP Masako attended significantly longer than expected; she spoke for about an hour to 32 participants, including a volunteer in Kumamoto from Ireland and a teaching assistant in Nagasaki Prefecture from the US.

Photo/videos/info: NHK, news24.jp, Asahi, fnn-news

Japan's JET Programme marks 30th anniversary | The Japan Times

 

[Prisma]

CP Naruhito and CP Masako arrived at Hashima Station around 11:30am for their 2-day visit to Gifu Prefecture on November 9th. Agenda:

• briefing about the Prefecture in the afternoon from Governor Hajime Furuta in Gujo city
• visit Gujo water resources (canals and traditional indigo dyeing shop)
• Seki City to tour Sodai agricultural water system constructed 350 years ago
• Prefectural Kibogaoka Children's Medical and Welfare Center
• 19th National Agricultural Leaders Summit

Not sure if CP Masako will attend all events but I assume she'll at least attend the 19th National Agricultural Leaders Summit tomorrow. She last visited Gifu Prefecture in August 2000.

Photos/info: chunichi.co.jp, kobe-np.co.jp

ETA: A few more photos of CP couple touring the canals, Sodai water system, and an indigo dyeing shop. The traditional dyeing technique was founded 430 years ago.
Sankei
Yomiuri
NHK
gifu-np.co.jp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhPb6ciOZyM

 

[Prisma]

On November 10th, CP Naruhito visited Prefectural Kibogaoka Children's Medical and Welfare Center and adjacent special needs school. He met with special needs children (ages 3-5) and visited a junior high classroom where students learn to use a computer.

In the afternoon, CP Naruhito and CP Masako spoke to young farmers before attending the National Agricultural Leaders Summit opening ceremony, which had around 2600 attendees.

Source/photos: chunichi.co.jp, NHK, chunichi.co.jp 2, Asahi, Sankei
Getty Images

Correction: Only CP Naruhito attended the morning event at the welfare center and special needs school. [chunichi.co.jp 3, Sankei] photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KENGdVHnrw0
ETA: CP Naruhito also attended the exchange meeting with summit attendees on November 9th. [Sankei photo]

 

[Prisma]

On November 24th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended an explanation by the Singapore ambassador at the Imperial Palace in preparation for the President of Singapore’s visit to Japan.

Sankei Weekly #462 arrival photo

 

[Prisma]

On December 19th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the 60th anniversary commemoration of Japan’s membership to the UN. About 300 people, including Prime Minister Abe, attended the event held at UN University in Shibuya, Tokyo. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appeared via a video message.

CP Naruhito expressed wishes for cooperation of the international community: "many local victims and refugees arise due to regional conflicts, and challenges such as poverty and natural disasters are diverse, ‘If the international community combines the wisdom, I think that the role of the United Nations is increasingly becoming more important.’" Until last year, CP Naruhito served as honorary president of the United Nations' Advisory Committee on Water and Sanitation for 8 years.

Photos/info: tokyo-np.co.jp, NHK, Getty Image
ETA: fixed Getty Image link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uImdfd6rAo

 

[Mermaid1962]

I find it interesting how the Crown Prince and Princess are so often sitting at a table on the platform. I suppose it's a cultural thing.

 

[Prisma]

3 more photos of the UN anniversary event from Sankei Imperial Weekly #466:
photos 26, 27, 33

 

[Mermaid1962]

It's great to see Masako in these bold colours.

 

[Prisma]

...
On September 6th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako met with the "Osaka Junior Chamber of Commerce invited foreigners" at the Crown Prince residence. Unfortunately, no pictures yet. :-(

IHA updated! 2016's Interview (Osaka Youth Council Invited Foreigner)

Also, they added a photo for June 28th's Interview (JOCV Overseas Cooperation Volunteers Returnee)

 

[Prisma]

On January 24th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako met with Iokibe Shin, President of Kumamoto Prefectural University at Togu Palace about reconstruction progress. Iokibe served as chairman of the "Kumamoto recovery and reconstruction experts meeting" and the government's Reconstruction Design Council for the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Source: Sankei Imperial Weekly #471 page 2

 

[Prisma]

CP Naruhito and CP Masako attended the opening ceremony of “Skagen: An Artists’ Colony in Denmark” exhibit at the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, Tokyo on February 9th. The exhibit is one of the projects commemorating the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Denmark.

A few small photos: Jiji, NHK, JP Reuters, Yomiuri

ETA: better photos at Getty Images and video at news24.jp

No definite news on a visit to Denmark yet; it's still under consideration according to the IHA.

https://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/exhibitions/2017skagen.html

 

[Prisma]

On February 16th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited the "Eternal Treasures from Kasugataisha Shrine" exhibition at Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo.

Photos: Yomiuri, JP Reuters, and news24.jp video

 

[Prisma]

On March 7th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited the Imperial Palace at 11:30am and stayed for about 2 hours. Naruhito reported on his activities on behalf of the Emperor while the Imperial couple were in Vietnam and Thailand. Afterward, the two couples had lunch.

Arrival video/photo: news.tbs.co.jp and https://twitter.com/andy13575/status/839089038275444736


The IHA also added photos for these 2016 events:

On October 17th, the CP couple met Japan Foundation Prize Winner - Imperial Household Agency

On November 17th, the CP couple met with Cosmos International Prize Winner - Imperial Household Agency

 

[Prisma]

On March 24th, CP Naruhito and CP Masako visited the "75th All-Japan Student Children’s Invention Exhibition" at the Science Museum in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Sponsored by Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, the exhibit features unique works by students from elementary through high school. The CP couple learned of inventions from 14 award winners.

According to NHK, the CP couple visit this event every 5 years since 1997. There were about 150 creations this year and the exhibit runs until March 26th.

Photo/info: Jiji, NHK

 

[iceflower]

.

Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko arrived at JR Nagano Station in Nagano Prefecture on March 27:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 **

 

[Prisma]

Thanks! 300-400 people* greeted the CP family's arrival around noon; they will stay in Nagano for about 5 days.

Sources: Asahi, Sankei, and NHK. Asahi reported 300 but Sankei and NHK reported 400.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C77fuZBVUAIJ_CK.jpg
http://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20170327002627_comm.jpg

ETA: Getty Images

 

[Mermaid1962]

Sweet pictures! I think that Princess Aiko has gained back a bit of weight. She looks more healthy.