Crown Prince & Crown Princess Akishino Current Events Part 1: May 2019 -


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On August 19th, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito paid a courtesy call on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. The family also met the Gyalsey (Crown Prince) Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck and had lunch with the King and Queen before watching archery.

Photos: Asahi, AP Images, Mainichi



Family of Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito meet Bhutanese King - Kyodo News+
Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and his family members met Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife Jetsun Pema on Monday and spent time together in the capital city of Thimphu.

Crown Princess Kiko and their 12-year-old son Prince Hisahito, who also arrived in the country on Saturday, were led by a classical Bhutanese dance and musical band as they entered Tashichho Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress housing the king's and government offices.

They had lunch before watching archery, the kingdom's national sport, in the city's stadium.

[...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igc3MH-pois
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Later on August 19th, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and Prince Hisahito visited the National Institute for Zorig Chusum and joined Bhutan's Queen Mother Sangay Choden and Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck at the National Textile Museum.

Photos: Getty Images

On August 20th, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and Prince Hisahito visited Changangkha Middle Secondary School in Thimphu, Bhutan. The school has about 920 students, aged 5-16. Prince Hisahito participated in exercise games. The family later visited a protection area for takins, the national animal of Bhutan, and enjoyed a hiking trail overlooking Thimphu. [Jiji English]

Photos: AP Images, Getty Images

Mainichi gallery (August 19-20)
 
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Kyoto September 1-2 for the opening ceremony of the 25th International Council of Museums (ICOM) General Conference. They also visited Shoyeido Incense company Kunjyukan and Kyodo National Museum.

AP Images

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Crown Princess Kiko turns 53 on September 11. Official photos and birthday statement (google translation).

Asahi gallery

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Crown princess declines to comment on daughter's postponed marriage - Kyodo News+
[...] "I believe she (Princess Mako) is thinking through a lot of things. Under such circumstances, I would like to refrain from speaking on current or future matters, including speculating on my daughter's feelings," the crown princess said in a statement.

[...]

In the statement released by the agency, the crown princess also touched on her second daughter, Princess Kako, saying, "I hope (my daughters) build a future in which they can lead their respective lives well, and bring joy to those who have supported their growth up till now."

According to the agency, since the imperial succession this spring the crown princess has made 47 visits to locations across Japan, and participated in 37 events held on palace grounds, including informal talks.

[...]

It is customary for the imperial household to release a statement by the crown princess every year around her birthday. With Crown Prince Fumihito now the heir to the throne, a statement from his wife Crown Princess Kiko was released from this year.
Japan Crown Princess Kiko Feeling Responsible for New Title - JIJI PRESS
[...] "While feeling the responsibility that comes along with the new position, I'd like to make efforts to support the Emperor and Empress together with the Crown Prince," the Crown Princess said in a statement that answered three questions submitted by a media corps.

[...]

"I'm very happy and grateful that I have been supported and cheered up by many people," she said of her life after the enthronement. She also expressed her gratitude to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.

The Crown Princess also said, "I'd like to continue to pay attention to the Crown Prince's health, as his duties are increasing more than ever."
She visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko at the Imperial Palace for birthday greetings in the morning.
 
Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko attended Crown Princess Kiko's birthday dinner on September 11th. They entered Akasaka Estate around 6:30pm. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako also attended.

AP Images

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On September 10th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 2019 Fukuoka Prize ceremony in Fukuoka Prefecture.


ETA: Crown princess turns 53, nixes wedding gossip, talks of future: The Asahi Shimbun
[...]

The statement was in response to questions submitted by the Imperial Household Agency Press Club, whose request for an individual statement on her 53rd birthday was approved by the Imperial Household Agency in light of the greater responsibility that comes with Kiko's new role as crown princess.

[...]

With regard to the future and marriage plans of her second daughter, Princess Kako, 24, Kiko said, "I expect that she will give it careful consideration and live her life."

Offering kind words about them both, Kiko added, "I hope they have a good life and establish a future course so that people who have supported them as they grew up will rejoice."

Kiko also shared her thoughts on the future of her son Prince Hisahito, second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, who celebrated his 13th birthday earlier this month, saying, "I believe that he will give more thought (to his future) as he grows through various experiences and expands his interests."

[...]

In the past, Kiko has only spoken about her thoughts and family when attending Fumihito's birthday news conference, not on her own birthday.
ETA: Crown Prince Akishino accompanied Crown Princess Kiko to the Imperial Palace for her birthday greetings on September 11. [news24.jp]

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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Iwate Prefecture September 24-25 to watch the Fiji vs. Uruguay rugby match and to inspect recovery from the 2011 earthquake.

Source: Asahi
 
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the National Chuo Youth Friendship Center in Gotenba, Shizuoka Prefecture today, September 18:


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Crown Prince Akishino attended the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A game at Tokyo Stadium between Russia and Japan today, September 20:


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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Kamaishi Memorial Park, a facility to pay tribute to victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture today, September 24:


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Today, September 25, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko inspected Ofunato Port, a disaster and tourist centre, in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture:


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On October 2nd, Crown Princess Kiko attended the movie premiere of "Mitsubachi to Enrai" (Honey Bee and Distant Thunder) in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. The movie is based on Riku Onda's novel which won the 156th Naoki Prize and Japan Booksellers Award Grand Prize in 2017. The story is about young musicians gathered for an international piano competition.

Photos: https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201910020000861.html
https://natalie.mu/eiga/gallery/news/349881/1250267
https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000165825.html

Mitsubachi to enrai (Book) | King County Library System | BiblioCommons
A boy of sixteen who lives with his beekeeper father and moved too frequently to have a piano at home, a young woman of twenty who hasn't been able to play since her mother's sudden death when she was thirteen, a music school graduate turned salaryman who is barely under the age limit at 28, a 19-year-old Juilliard student whose musicality and perfect technique make him the favorite to win...these and other geniuses gather for the Yoshigae International Piano Competition in this novel about talent, destiny, and struggling against oneself.
On October 2nd, Crown Prince Akishino traveled to Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture to visit farmers who were commended by the Agricultural Society of Japan. He also visited Tomioka Silk Mill.

Photos/video: NHK, Sankei
 
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On October 8th, Crown Princess Kiko attended the 4th Mother and Child Handbook Forum held in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: Getty Images
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On October 2nd, Crown Princess Kiko attended the movie premiere of "Mitsubachi to Enrai" (Honey Bee and Distant Thunder) in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo. The movie is based on Riku Onda's novel which won the 156th Naoki Prize and Japan Booksellers Award Grand Prize in 2017. The story is about young musicians gathered for an international piano competition.

Photos: https://www.nikkansports.com/entertainment/news/201910020000861.html
https://natalie.mu/eiga/gallery/news/349881/1250267
https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000165825.html

[...][/URL]
More photos at https://diet.news-postseven.com/44032
 
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On October 18th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the autumn memorial ceremony for the war dead at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Getty Images
 
On November 8th, Crown Prince Akishino attended the Japan Forestry Association award ceremony and reception in Minato, Tokyo. He has been patron of the association since 2014.
ETA: The same day, Crown Princess Kiko attended the 46th Japan Prize International Contest For Educational Media Award Ceremony at the NHK Broadcasting Center. Emperor Naruhito attended this event as crown prince and it has been reassigned to Kiko since the succession.

Photo: NHK

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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Shuri Castle during their December 14-15 visit to Okinawa for the National Tree Growing Festival. The main courtyard structures of the castle were destroyed by fire on October 31st.
Source: NHK

On November 22nd, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited the exhibition "Shosoin: Essential Treasures of Ancient Japan Passed Down by the Imperial Family" at Tokyo National Museum in Taitō, Tokyo.

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On November 29th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 35th International Prize for Biology award ceremony at the Japan Academy Hall in Ueno, Tokyo.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko used to attend this event. It was assigned to Crown Prince Akishino due to his background in animal science and ornithology.

Source: Jiji

AP Images

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Crown Prince Akishino turns 54 on November 30.

Photos/video were taken on November 15 and a press conference was held November 20 at Akasaka East Residence.

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi

Japan crown prince urges daughter to update public on marriage - Kyodo News
Crown Prince Fumihito, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, has urged his daughter Princess Mako to update the public on her marriage to university boyfriend Kei Komuro by February, two years after their wedding postponement was announced.

"This coming February marks two years (since the postponement announcement)," the crown prince said at a press conference held before his 54th birthday on Saturday. "I believe something must be announced about it."

[...]

Last year, the prince urged Komuro's family to resolve outstanding issues if they want the wedding to go ahead, saying their marriage should be something that is "celebrated by many people."

The crown prince said this time that his stance "has not changed" from what he said last year, adding he has not spoken with Princess Mako about her marriage or contacted the Komuros.

He also said he continues to question whether it was appropriate for the state to finance the Daijosai, or the Shinto-style thanksgiving ceremony held earlier this month as a key rite accompanying the emperor's succession on May 1.

[...]

The crown prince said he is "relieved" that the key succession ceremonies, including the Daijosai and the "Sokuirei Seiden no gi" ceremony for announcing the emperor's enthronement before international guests, passed without any trouble.

[...]

But the crown prince declined to comment on how imperial succession rites should be held, saying some of them are state occasions. He also refrained from expressing a view on the possibility of succeeding the current emperor at an old age as he and his brother are only five years apart.

Asked about memorable events over the year, the crown prince named the Rugby World Cup held in Japan as well as disasters including the deadly Typhoon Hagibis and the fire that burned down Shuri Castle in Okinawa. He served as honorary head of the rugby event.
Crown Prince Turns 54, Ponders over Imperial Family's Role | Nippon.com
[...]

"We must constantly be thinking about how (the family) should be in a way that goes with the times," the Crown Prince also said.

On the possibility that he may ascend the throne in old age, he said, "What a person can do at a certain stage in life depends on the individual, so the situation differs from person to person."
ETA: Around 11am, Crown Prince Akishino visited Fukiage Sento Imperial Palace for birthday greetings to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
 
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended an event of the Trees Raising Festival in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, today, December 14:



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:previous: Thanks! Their schedule for December 14:
- visit Okinawa Peace Memorial Park
- meet bereaved relatives
- prune and fertilize trees planted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in 1993
- tour Okinawa Prefecture Agricultural Research Center
- attend a reception for the festival

On December 15th, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 43rd National Tree Raising (or Tree Growing) Festival in Ginowan and visited the fire damaged Shuri Castle before returning to Tokyo. The couple also visited a traditional "Ryukyu Bingata" dyeing workshop and attended a karate performance.

AP Images

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visit war dead memorial in Okinawa | The Japan Times
In the presence of bereaved relatives, the couple offered bouquets of white chrysanthemums and deeply bowed at the mausoleum, in which the ashes of about 180,000 victims of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II are placed.

The crown prince called on the relatives to tell their war experiences to children and young people, according to Naeko Teruya, 83, former head of a group of bereaved families in the prefecture.

“We’ll be grateful if they continue to have sympathy for (the victims of) the Battle of Okinawa,” said Tokumasa Miyagi, 78, the group’s head.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYKcWRr2O0o
 
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Crown Prince Akishino visited Osaka Prefecture December 17-18 to attend the study group hosted by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Veterinarians and keepers from about 60 zoos nationwide shared knowledge on disease treatment and breeding. The prince also visited Tennoji Zoo.

Sankei, AP Images, mbs.jp
 
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Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture, today, January 16:



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Japan crown prince urges daughter to update public on marriage - Kyodo News

He also refrained from expressing a view on the possibility of succeeding the current emperor at an old age as he and his brother are only five years apart.

Crown Prince Turns 54, Ponders over Imperial Family's Role | Nippon.com

On the possibility that he may ascend the throne in old age, he said, "What a person can do at a certain stage in life depends on the individual, so the situation differs from person to person."

I wonder what the question was and why it was put to him. Are there many people who would want him to abdicate in favor of his son if he succeeds at an old age?


Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visit war dead memorial in Okinawa | The Japan Times
In the presence of bereaved relatives, the couple offered bouquets of white chrysanthemums and deeply bowed at the mausoleum, in which the ashes of about 180,000 victims of the Battle of Okinawa during World War II are placed.

The crown prince called on the relatives to tell their war experiences to children and young people, according to Naeko Teruya, 83, former head of a group of bereaved families in the prefecture.

“We’ll be grateful if they continue to have sympathy for (the victims of) the Battle of Okinawa,” said Tokumasa Miyagi, 78, the group’s head.

I'm glad that these sorts of programs are being carried on into the new reign. Helping to inspire citizens to confront the lessons of the war may be the most unique and key segment of the monarchy's work.
 
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