https://www.dr.dk/tv/se/kronprinsparret-i-japan/-/kronprinsparret-i-japan
Here is a documentary covering M&F's visit to Japan. It's a well-rounded and informative coverage, apparently done by the same journalist who covered CP Naruhito's visit to DK a while back.
Those of you who can understand Japanese may perhaps be able to add something.
After covering the walkathon and trying to interview a few of the locals, we get to:
5:30 Where our reporter states that the DRF and JIF are close friends, and have been close since the beginning of diplomatic relations 150 years ago. - They met each other many times.
Annette Kokholm from Aller press says that they have known each other for all 150 years or perhaps even longer - which is more than unlikely!
They may even be closer than we may think and know about.
6.30 Frederik's first official job abroad actually went to Japan (and not as we might imagine, to a more "safe" environment in Norway or Sweden).
That was in 1987. In 1997 he went back. And in 2005 he brought Mary with him.
Asger Røjle is a Danish Japan-expert. And says that the DRF is popular, so the JIF may use the DRF (among others I believe) as an inspiration in making the JIF more open. (More on that later. The DRF and the JIF also have a very long history and family line in common, which also means something to the historically conscious Japanese).
Japan is the worlds third largest economy, with some 137 million inhabitants, of which some 35 million live in the greater Tokyo area.
Japan is a curious mix of very old traditions and culture, while being hyper modern at the same time.
M&F visits the garden and an art museum, and while there were plenty of Danish journalists there, there were lots of Japanese reporters as well! The Japanese coverage has been very good indeed. (Not least because of Naruhito and especially Masako).
While the DRF and JIF have a lot in common, there is one area where they are totally different.
12.00
M&F mingle among ordinary people and that is very much noted in Japan! Also when Naruhito visited DK. There they saw him mingle with ordinary people on the streets as well, something almost unheard of in Japan.
In DK you can get within a couple of meters of the walls of Amalienborg, this moat is as close as you can get to the Imperial palace. Even the surrounding buildings are not allowed to exceed a certain height.
And cameras are not particularly welcome!
Since WWII the JIF has been the symbol of Japan, rather than Japan personified as was the case previously.
As is the case today, while the Emperor has a lot of political status, his political power is very limited. That was, with a few exceptions also the case previously. - In contrast the Danish kings had for periods almost total political power, and until recently at least a very strong political hand.
The Japanese Emperor is actually only required to show himself in public on his birthday and on 2nd January. But in fact he is much more out in public than any previous emperors, and his son, Naruhito, is expected to go along that route and open even more up to the public. - As far as conservative circles in Japan will allow. They prefer the old method: Having a distant, mythological emperor, who preferably keeps his mouth shut, to back them up.
15.00 - Frederik is visiting the area affected by the tsunami. Frederik was the first royal there, at all. - Which is normal in European context, but not in Japanese context. And the locals have never forgotten him for that gesture.
Frederik explains: "A good friend is there. Also when things are bad". And Denmark (and he himself) was there right after the disaster.
When Frederik was here last he played soccer with some school pupils, now he is meeting with four of them, who are progressing in the educational system.
20:00 - The JIF is incredibly popular and has a huge support from the public.
21.00 - Frederik explains that each time they are in Japan, they are invited by the Emperor for a dinner, just the four of them.
Naruhito face a daunting job, once he becomes emperor.
On top of that there is only one boy in the imperial family, because girls can't sit on the throne, so that is a cause for concern.
There is a general gender-equality problem in Japan. In a country where there is virtually no childcare until pre-school age, it's the job of the husband to work long hours and the wife to stay at home, despite often having a very high education.
That limits Japanese women's possibilities for having a career, and certainly reaching the top. (And is probably one very good reason why so many young Japanese women now choose to remain single).
26:00 - M&F are directly used to help promote Danish businesses and products. That means that while the head of a Danish supplier would normally meet with Japanese businessmen several levels down, they now meet with the boss himself. And that the Japanese CP-couple is there as well is almost sensational, certainly close to unbelievable! - That gives the Danish businessmen status and means they are remembered.
29:00 - After comparing Naruhito and Frederik, who are not that alike, it's Mary and Masako who are compared. Mary is hugely popular in DK and also very respected, having quickly found her own role. Masako struggled initially. It wasn't exactly helpful that it took several years for them to have a child (because we all know that childlessness is entirely the woman's fault, right?) So her public standing was not and still is not that high. And when they finally got a child, it was a girl. So she retired from the public view.
31:00 - Our reporter is visiting a large TV-network, that has a show covering the JIF - but only from a positive angle.
Not because they have to or are obliged to, but apparently because they prefer it that way. The reporter has been told not to ask why, but tries anyway...
They show the reporter the docu they made of Naruhito's visit to DK recently.
The docu ends with the final gala and a Frederik in fine form giving a speech, ending with a sincere thank you.
nice. 
