An Imperial Week in Photos: From Nagasaki Peace Park to the World Championships

On September 12, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, accompanied by their daughter Princess Aiko, visited Nagasaki Prefecture, one of the sites of the World War II atomic bombings.

At the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument in Nagasaki Peace Park, they offered white lilies and other flowers and bowed deeply in prayer. They then visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, where they viewed exhibits, including models of the city devastated by the bomb's blast and heat.

Encounters with Survivors

During a meeting with survivors, the Emperor expressed sympathy to Kikuyo Nakamura, who lost her niece and cousin in the bombing. He said, "I'm so sorry that your relatives passed away."

Princess Aiko asked Shigemitsu Tanaka, representative of the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo), which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, "What message would you like to pass on to the next generation?"

On September 13, the Imperial couple visited the Megumi no Oka Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Home, a care facility for elderly survivors, where they spoke with residents. Reflecting on the devastation, the Empress said, "Even seeing the photos, words fail me." Princess Aiko returned to Tokyo later that day, ahead of her parents.

Later, Their Majesties visited the "National Exhibition of Works by People with Disabilities — Art Brut Exhibition" at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum. The event was part of the National Arts and Culture Festival for Persons with Disabilities. The next day, they attended the opening ceremonies of both the National Cultural Festival and the National Arts and Culture Festival for Persons with Disabilities in Sasebo City.

International Engagements

On September 16, the Emperor met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić at the Imperial Palace. President Vučić was visiting Japan for his country's National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The expo highlights participating countries on a rotating basis.

On the 18th, Their Majesties attended the 50th anniversary ceremony of the United Nations University in Shibuya, Tokyo.

The Akishino Family

Meanwhile, on September 12, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and his family visited a Noh theater in Tokyo to watch a traditional Okinawan Ryukyu dance performance. The following day, the Crown Prince and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, attended the opening ceremony of the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Shinjuku.

Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito attended the World Athletics Championships on September 16 to watch the competitions. Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, was present on the 14th, and Princess Hisako, widow of Prince Takamado (Norihito), attended on the 18th.

Cultural and Community Events

On September 16, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko made a day trip to Fukuoka Prefecture. They attended the Fukuoka Prize ceremony, which honors achievements in preserving and developing Asian culture. On the 17th, they attended a welcome reception in Tokyo for participants of the 65th Overseas Japanese Nationals Convention and met with attendees.

From September 13 to 14, Princess Kako visited Tottori Prefecture. On the 13th, she toured the Yurihama Taihei-en nursing facility in Yurihama Town. The following day, she attended the 12th National High School Sign Language Performance Koshien in Kurayoshi City, where she met with award recipients.

Prince Akiko of Mikasa

On September 14, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, president of the Japan-Turkey Society, departed for Turkey on a commercial flight from Haneda Airport. The following day in Istanbul, she attended the opening ceremony of a Japanese ceramics exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey.

Princess Hisako of Takamado

Princess Hisako of Takamado visited Fukui Prefecture on September 13–14 to attend the National Amateur Orchestra Festival, hosted by the Federation of Japan Amateur Orchestras Corp, where she serves as president. 

On the 16th, she attended a Japan Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Tokyo, organized by the Japan Football Association, of which she is honorary president. The next day, she joined a gathering of members of the Prince Takamado Memorial Foundation for Japan-Korea Exchange at the Meiji Kinenkan.

RELATED:

• An Imperial Week in Photos: Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Rice Harvest, and Niigata Visit
• Princess Kiko Turns 59: Gratitude for Family and Reflections on Duty
• Prince Hisahito, Second in Line to the Throne, Marks Coming-of-Age at Imperial Palace
• An Imperial Week in Photos: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Authors: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun