Princesses Mako,Kako & Prince Hisahito Current Events Part 2: May 2017 - October 2021

[Alisa]

The photos are stunning indeed. I'm pleasantly surprised to see the youmg women in seemingly contemporary and modern clothing. It is usually the opposite!

 

[Prisma]

I wonder why it was decided to do a photoshoot with both sisters (and by whom it was decided). It seems that the sisters support each other and if so, that would probably mean that the family is somewhat divided in them 'against' their parents whose roles primarily rest on their son's shoulders.

I hadn't thought about that perspective. The sisters' birthday photos and videos last year were solos. I assumed it's easier and more natural to have someone or a pet to interact with. A solo "walk around and look interested in the scenery" can be awkward.

 

[Prisma]

Prince Hisahito earned an honorable mention in the junior high section of the "12th Children's Nonfiction Literature Award" sponsored by Kitakyushu City for his essay "Visit to the Ogasawara Islands." He will attend the online awards ceremony on March 20.

Prince Hisahito visited the Ogasawara Islands with his mother Princess Kiko during summer vacation in 2017. His composition for a school assignment described nature and exchanges with residents, written in 19 sheets of 400-character manuscript paper.

The grand prize was awarded to a 5th grader in elementary school living in Germany, titled "My Family Tree" by Chake Leon and a 2nd grader in junior high school from Suwa, Tama City, Tokyo, titled "Funeral" by Kazushi Heike.

In October 2019, Prince Hisahito received an award for his essay "Dragonfly and I," which summarizes the importance of creating an environment in which dragonflies can live, as an honorable mention in another competition.

Sources: Mainichi, Sankei

The "Children's Nonfiction Literature Award" is limited to elementary and junior high students. Honorable Mentions (2 elementary school students, 2 junior high school students each) receive a 50,000 Yen book card.

https://compe.japandesign.ne.jp/kodomo-non-fiction-2020/


ETA: Japan's Prince Hisahito receives kids' nonfiction lit award for travel account - The Mainichi

Japan's Prince Hisahito, 14, son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, was awarded a second-place prize in the junior high student division of the "12th Children's Nonfiction Literature Awards," the government of host city Kitakyushu announced on March 12.

According to the city and the Imperial Household Agency, Prince Hisahito, a second-year student at Ochanomizu University Junior High School in Tokyo, wrote an essay titled "Visiting the Ogasawara Islands," as part of his summer vacation homework. The essay was submitted for consideration by his school.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Prince Hisahito attended the virtual "12th Children's Nonfiction Literature Awards" ceremony on March 20th. He received 2nd place, an honorable mention, for his essay "Visiting the Ogasawara Islands" in the junior high division.

"I am very pleased to receive the wonderful award. I will continue to cherish the encounters and memories of the Ogasawara Islands." He had online exchanges with people on the islands during the pandemic. "Once the infection has subsided, I would love to come back with my father who couldn't go to work." [Jiji]

https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20210320001690_comm.jpg
https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20210320001691_comm.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/210320/lif2103200027-p1.jpg

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency announced Princess Kako will be a part-time employee at the Japanese Federation of the Deaf starting May 6. She will be involved in clerical work 3 days a week while giving priority to public duties and will telework for now due to the pandemic. The term of employment is until March 31, 2022 but can be renewed. Princess Kako has often attended sign language events and has been interning for the Federation since February.

Sources: Sankei, NHK, news24.jp

On April 30th, Princess Kako made an online visit to the 53rd Naruhodo-Ten exhibition at Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan. The exhibition, sponsored by Japan Women Inventors Association, showcases winning works of an invention contest focused on daily life. Princess Kako planned to visit the venue on April 26 but switched to online visit after a state of emergency was declared for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo Prefectures. The exhibition is accessible via 20-minute appointment slots and ends May 1. [Jiji, NHK, jwia.or.jp]

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/210430/lif2104300034-p1.jpg
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210430/K10013007191_2104301957_2104302059_01_02.jpg
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210430/K10013006981_2104301822_2104301839_01_02.jpg
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210430/K10013006981_2104301835_2104301839_01_03.jpg

 

[Somebody]

Did she graduate from university? Or is she doing this next to studying? Or will she be working part-time so she has time for royal duties the other days of the week?

 

[Prisma]

Yes, Kako graduated from International Christian University in 2019 and part-time allows for public duties. Her sister Mako works part-time as a researcher at the University of Tokyo's University Museum while pursuing a PhD.

I recall Princess Ayako worked part-time as a researcher at Josai International University after finishing her Masters. Not sure what type of employment Princess Yoko had at Japanese Red Cross Society and Princess Tsuguko's current work for Japan Committee for UNICEF. Probably part-time.

 

[Somebody]

Thanks. So, it seems it is the expectation that the princesses find a respectable part-time job to keep them occupied but also available for imperial duties.

 

[iceflower]

Princess Mako visited Musashino Eastern Mausoleum today, June 16, to attend Kojun-Kougou-reisai in Hachioji, the day marking the Passing of Empress Kojun.


** gallery **

 

[Prisma]

On June 30th, Princess Kako attended the online 68th Sankei Children's Book Awards ceremony from the Akishino residence. She also sent a video message.

Her mother attended the event from 1993 and Kako took over from 2019.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei, Sankei2

Full video message

 

[Prisma]

Mayor Masanori Furukawa, chairman of the executive committee for the "12th International Ceramics Festival Mino," requested Princess Mako to be honorary president. The triennial festival starts September 17 in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture. Mayor Furukawa suggests the princess attend remotely or send a video message due to the pandemic.

Imperial family members have been honorary president since the festival started in 1986. Princess Mako served as honorary president in 2014 and 2017.

Source: https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20210706/20210706-84805.html

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Mayor Masanori Furukawa, chairman of the executive committee for the "12th International Ceramics Festival Mino," requested Princess Mako to be honorary president. The triennial festival starts September 17 in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture. Mayor Furukawa suggests the princess attend remotely or send a video message due to the pandemic.

Imperial family members have been honorary president since the festival started in 1986. Princess Mako served as honorary president in 2014 and 2017.

Source: https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20210706/20210706-84805.html

Interesting, thank you. Do you think there is anything to take note of in the fact that the mayor was not dissuaded from requesting her by the controversies over her choice of partner?

 

[Prisma]

Interesting, thank you. Do you think there is anything to take note of in the fact that the mayor was not dissuaded from requesting her by the controversies over her choice of partner?

Hmm, probably not. An Akishino princess appearance will generate more publicity than a Mikasa or Takamado appearance.

 

[Prisma]

After 10am on August 5th, Princess Mako visited the Imperial Household Hospital for the 1st dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Her parents and sister Kako got their 1st shots in July.

Emperor Naruhito completed 2 vaccine doses in July. 6 elderly Imperial family members were vaccinated in June.

Photo: Jiji

 

[Prisma]

Princess Kako received the 2nd dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at the Imperial Household hospital on August 13.

Source: fnn.jp

 

[Prisma]

On August 26th, Princess Mako visited the Imperial Household Hospital for the 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. She entered the palace after 11am and left around 12:30pm.

https://news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye4345884.html

 

[Prisma]

Prince Hisahito turns 15 on September 6

The Imperial Household Agency released photos and video taken on August 5 at the Akishino residence. Prince Hisahito and his father discuss books about rice cultivation.

- 3rd year student at Ochanomizu University Junior High School and busy studying to prepare for high school (probably preparing for entrance exams)
- participated in a "laboratory visit" to hear from a faculty member who specialized in research at the Faculty of Science at Doshisha University and presented what he had learned in a poster with his classmates
- he listened to people with disabilities working at a flower shop, took a water bus tour of the Olympic facilities in Tokyo Bay, and attended a workshop at a traditional craftsman during a 3-day off-campus study in June (pandemic canceled the school trip)
- In August, he watched an online event organized by a private organization with his family about the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the 5th anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquake, and learned about disaster prevention
- his 2017 essay about visiting the Ogasawara Islands received an honorable mention (2nd place) at the Children's Nonfiction Literary Award

The family's aides do not know where he'll attend high school. Ochanomizu University High School is a girls' school.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi, Yomiuri

TBS added music

 

[rominet09]

Lovely to see how he has grown and how handsome he is !

 

[Prisma]

English articles/video

Prince Hisahito turns 15 | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...]

Agency officials say the prince and his classmates took part in a school project about people's lives during the coronavirus pandemic. They conducted interviews and surveys, and presented the results at a school festival in September last year.

Agency officials say Prince Hisahito appeared to have learned about the hardships and efforts of people in different industries and deepened his thoughts on what he and other children can do to help.

[...]

Officials say Prince Hisahito watched an online event during summer vacation to mark the anniversaries of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake in southwestern Japan.

They say the prince watched the event with his family and learned about disaster preparedness, including possible roles children can play.

[...]

Prince Hisahito celebrates 15th birthday after summer of study | The Asahi Shimbun

[...]

Although his activities were restricted this past summer amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he actively participated in events inside and outside his school while remaining healthy, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

The agency said that Hisahito went on field trips for three consecutive days in June because his school trip was canceled due to the pandemic as COVID-19 cases surged across the nation.

Hisahito listened to the story of a disabled worker at a flower shop. He also rode on a water bus and saw Olympic-related facilities and other sites from Tokyo Bay.

He spent a lot of time studying during the summer break in preparation for entering high school next year, according to the agency.

[...]

Prince Hisahito, 2nd in line to throne, turns 15 - The Mainichi

[...]

Next spring, the young prince is expected to enter a high school not affiliated with Ochanomizu University, as the high school attached to the university is an all-girls school. The pandemic has forced the cancellation of the junior high school's school trips and the prince took some online classes, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

Prince Hisahito has joined an educational field trip to hear lectures given by those working on social issues. [...]

At a student festival held in September last year, the prince and his friends released their interviews with people suffering from the fallout of the pandemic in a video and posters.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

TV Tokyo learned Princess Mako will not attend the September 15 award ceremony of the traditional craft exhibition hosted by the Japan Kogei Association where she's patron. Although she has already selected the winner, the association chairman will present the award.

Princess Mako previously attended the exhibition and award ceremony since becoming patron. TV Tokyo report uses 2020 footage
https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/txn/news_txn/post_235637

 

[Tatiana Maria]

TV Tokyo learned Princess Mako will not attend the September 15 award ceremony of the traditional craft exhibition hosted by the Japan Kogei Association where she's patron. Although she has already selected the winner, the association chairman will present the award.

Princess Mako previously attended the exhibition and award ceremony since becoming patron. TV Tokyo report uses 2020 footage
https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/txn/news_txn/post_235637

Is it safe to assume this is due to the public backlash against her marriage announcement?

If so, is this the first time since the war that a member of the imperial family has been "canceled" (apart from cases in foreign countries where the controversy was incited by Japanese war crimes, etc. rather than controversies involving the individual member)?

 

[Prinsara]

It's possible she's too busy getting ready to move?

Edit: Two other possibilities are, rather than being canceled by the public, by issuing notice of her imminent uncelebrated departure, Mako canceled herself, and her princessing days are done.

The other possibility is that it's the IHA who has decided she is done, if in fact she does no more engagements before she leaves.

 

[Prisma]

I don't know. All are possible. Too controversial, canceling herself, or IHA canceling her. She'd definitely be busy preparing to marry, move to another country within 2-3 months, quitting her part-time job, figuring out what'll happen to her doctorate program, etc.

Sigh. I hope Princess Mako will have 1 last public appearance (in-person or virtual) before marrying. Since she's not attending the craft exhibition/awards, it seems unlikely she'll participate at the Ceramics Festival in Gifu Prefecture later in September.

 

[Prisma]

news24.jp/nnn reported on the traditional crafts exhibition and award ceremony that Princess Mako did not attend on September 15. Last month, she selected a kimono expressing blue sea and waves for the "Patron's Prize."
The article described her absence was "due to the pandemic/coronavirus."

ETA: the Patron's Prize recipient, kimono https://www.nihonkogeikai.or.jp/works/533/106334/

 

[Prinsara]

Well, if she picked it (even prior to The Announcement) it may mean she is still involved, and not quite done? Or if she is, it was thoughtful of her to get it in?

 

[Prisma]

Mayor Masanori Furukawa, chairman of the executive committee for the "12th International Ceramics Festival Mino," requested Princess Mako to be honorary president. The triennial festival starts September 17 in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture. Mayor Furukawa suggests the princess attend remotely or send a video message due to the pandemic.

Imperial family members have been honorary president since the festival started in 1986. Princess Mako served as honorary president in 2014 and 2017.

Source: https://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/20210706/20210706-84805.html

FNN reports Princess Mako will be appointed honorary president of 12th International Ceramics Festival Mino (September 30-October 17) in Gifu Prefecture. She will send a video message for the opening ceremony. This could be her last official duty as an Imperial family member as she's expected to marry in October.

 

[Prisma]

Princess Mako sent a video message for the opening ceremony of the International Ceramics Festival Mino '21 in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture on September 30. She is honorary president of the triennial festival. The video was recorded on August 19 at Akasaka Estate.

This is expected to be her last public activity before marriage although she may appear at court rituals but those are considered private.

AP Images

Princess Mako Sends Video Message to Ceramics Event | Nippon.com

[...]

In the video message to the International Ceramics Festival Mino '21 in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, Princess Mako, 29, said that she is reading a catalog and others while remembering her visit to the region famous for ceramics.

"I deeply respect the people who have contributed to the development of the ceramics industry and enhancement of its culture and have committed themselves to Mino," she said. The message was shot on Aug. 19.

 

[Prisma]

On October 3rd, Princess Kako remotely attended the 8th National High School Sign Language Performance Competition in Tottori Prefecture from the Akishino residence. She also sent a video message for the opening ceremony.

Photo: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On October 10th, Princess Kako attended and sent a video message to the online "International Girls Messe" ceremony for the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of Japan. The video message was recorded on September 24. Princess Kako mentioned Japan ranked 120th out of 156 countries in the "Gender Gap Index" released by the World Economic Forum in March. "It’s very disappointing. [When] gender equality is achieved, everyone has a wider range of life options and they can choose the path to maximize their potential. I sincerely hope that will become a natural society."

Girl Scouts was introduced from England to Japan in 1920. The pandemic postponed the 100th anniversary ceremony, only the pre-event was held online last year.

Photo/video: Mainichi, Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On October 12th, Princess Mako received the Grand Cross insignia of the Order of Rio Branco from the Brazilian government, presented by Ambassador Andre Correa do Lago, at Akasaka East Residence. She visited Brazil in 2018 for the 110th anniversary of Japanese immigration.

Photos: Jiji, Mainichi

Brazil Decorates Princess Mako | Nippon.com

Japanese Princess Mako received the Grand Cross insignia of the Order of Rio Branco from the Brazilian government on Tuesday.

[...]

After receiving the medal from Brazilian Ambassador to Japan Andre Correa do Lago at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo, Princess Mako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, again expressed her gratitude for the cordial reception during the trip, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

"I hope that the friendly relations between Japan and Brazil will deepen further," the agency quoted her as saying.

The ambassador congratulated Princess Mako on her planned marriage to commoner Kei Komuro.