Press Conference by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of His Bir
Press Conference by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of His Birthday
21 February 2005
Crown Prince Naruhito held the press conference.
I think this episode about Princess Takamatsu is very interesting.
Question 5
Please tell us your impressions and thoughts about the events that touched your heart in this past year. Please include your recollections of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamatsu, who passed away, your thoughts as an elder brother about Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako, who is soon to be married, and also about the recent growth of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko, who has reached her third birthday.
Answer 5
I was most saddened at the passing of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamatsu in December last year. From my childhood, Princess Takamatsu was always most kind and after our marriage she would often invite us to her residence, where we would talk about various things, including the old days. She once told us with relish of a story of how shortly after her marriage she visited the United States at the time of Prohibition, where, DURING a banquet she asked President Hoover, “what would you say if I told you that at a luncheon the other day I was served wine?” and President Hoover's laughter in response was reported in the newspapers, because the President was someone who never usually laughed. I shall also never forget how she also told us with the look of a mischievous child, “immediately after that incident I received a rebuke from the Imperial Household Ministry, now the Imperial Household Agency, telling me to 'take caution in what you say.'” Princess Takamatsu was also concerned about Princess Masako's health and she wrote a "waka" poem in celebration of the birth of Princess Aiko. I am most grateful for all her kindnesses.
*Crown Prince Naruhito told about Princess Aiko's future.*
Question 3
An Advisory Council on the Imperial Household Law has been established within the Government to consider measures to maintain a stable line of Imperial succession. The succession of female members of the Imperial Family has been the focus of discussion. Based on these recent developments, please tell us of your intents for the future raising of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko and your thoughts on the so-called “succession issue.”
Answer 3
I am aware of the establishment of the Advisory Council on the Imperial Household Law, but I wish to refrain from making any comment, including anything on the “succession issue.”
Concerning our plans for raising Princess Aiko, whatever position the future holds for her, my primary wish is for her to be soundly raised as an individual person. I think that the age of three is an important time that has a bearing on the future process of growth for a child. As her name itself suggests, I would like to see her grow, loving others and being loved by others. It is therefore important for us to raise Princess Aiko with love and affection. Recently I came across a poem. It is entitled “ Children Learn What They Live” by the American educationalist Dorothy Law Nolte, and is included in the social studies textbook in junior high schools in the Kingdom of Sweden:
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
(original English version)
Having a child of my own, I feel most keenly that this poem describes in a wonderfully eloquent way the very important factors in a child's growth process that are yet so easy to forget in today's society, such as the importance of bonds between people, the importance of love for other people and compassion for other people. I was profoundly touched by this poem. I think it would be wonderful for a child to learn such things naturally while growing up in a family, which is the smallest unit of a community.
In addition, I would like to see that Princess Aiko has a variety of experiences. I still believe today that it was good that during my own childhood I was taken to various places by my own parents, now Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress, and I was able to see the things that Their Majesties did. In that sense, although I do not mean to imply that Princess Aiko will begin official duties, I think it is important for her to see us and what we are doing.
As Princess Aiko has turned three years old, I think it is important for her to gain an understanding of socialization in a variety of senses. She is now talking very freely, and I think it is important for her to continue to use greetings and phrases that are in daily use, and which she has already been using, including those used at mealtimes, and also to say “ thank you” when something has been done for her. Happily, Princess Aiko has friends of different ages, and thanks to the guidance of the Rythmique teachers, she is gradually learning about simple rules of daily life, such as how to get in line and wait one’s turn. Over the period from the end of last year to the New Year, we engaged in many activities, such as pounding MOCHI, flying kites, spinning tops, playing HANETSUKI and cards, and also calligraphy practice, with Princess Aiko writing side by side Princess Masako, doing her first calligraphy of the New Year. We did all these things out of a desire for Princess Aiko to come into contact with customs and culture that have been passed down through the ages in Japan. When I was a child I enjoyed playing the card game of the one hundred famous poems with Their Majesties and Princess Masako's parents also played the same game with her, so that during her long period of living overseas she would not forget about Japanese culture. Through nursery rhymes that use a seven/five syllable structure I would like to see Princess Aiko come to understand the rhythm of these poems naturally and be able to play with words using simple seven/five syllable structures. In addition, I feel sad that this kind of valuable Japanese customs are gradually being lost and I sincerely hope that They will continue to be treasured by children for a long time to come.
You can read all here.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/press-crown/prince2005.html