Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visiting the United Nations Pavilion on October 6. (©Sankei by Hirofumi Kakihira)
On October 4, Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Kyoto Prefecture and toured the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. They explored areas including the Dongreen Lab, a section featuring a variety of acorn trees. This area had been renovated to commemorate the garden's 100th anniversary.
The following day, Their Majesties attended the opening ceremony of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum at the Kyoto International Conference Center. During the ceremony, the Emperor spoke in English, highlighting the need for leading experts from around the world to build interdisciplinary networks. He also emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions on artificial intelligence.
Later, Their Majesties visited the Katsura Imperial Villa, where they admired the Japanese gardens and other notable sites.
Expo 2025 and HE Laurent Saint-Cyr
On October 6, Their Majesties visited Osaka Prefecture to attend Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai. At a pavilion jointly presented by ASEAN countries and others, Empress Masako commented on artworks made from second-hand clothing collected from various ASEAN nations. She said, "These express both the unique characteristics of each country and the unity of ASEAN as a whole."
Later, Their Majesties visited a pavilion created by roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro. There, the Emperor asked him, "Why did you decide to create androids?"
On October 9, the Emperor welcomed Laurent Saint-Cyr, Chairman of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti, at the Imperial Palace. He was visiting Japan in connection with his country's national day at Expo 2025, which showcases participating countries on a rotating basis.
Tree Planting
Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko visited Miyagi Prefecture on October 4 and 5 to attend the 48th National Tree Planting Festival. On October 4, at the Minamizao camping area of the National Hanayama Youth Outdoor Learning Center in Shiroishi City, they tended trees originally planted by Their Majesties Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko during the 1997 festival. The next day, they attended the festival ceremony at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena in Rifu Town.
On October 9, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, and their second daughter, Princess Kako, met at the Akasaka Higashi Residence in Tokyo with participants of Latin American exchange programs organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Setouchi Triennale and Sanatorium Visit
On October 2, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako visited Kagawa Prefecture to inspect venues for the Setouchi Triennale. The following day, they visited the National Sanatorium Oshima-Seishoen in Takamatsu City, a facility for current and former patients of leprosy. There, they offered flowers at the columbarium and paid their respects at a memorial.
During a meeting with residents, they listened to personal stories, held each person's hand, and offered words of encouragement. They said, "Please take good care of your health."
Later, they visited Shodoshima Town Hall, where they observed an event involving simple exercises for mothers and infants. They smiled warmly as they watched.
Princesses' Engagements
Princess Kako visited Shiga Prefecture on October 7 to watch basketball competitions at the Japan Games. She also attended the general closing ceremony the following day.
At the Japan Games, Princess Nobuko watched judo on October 6, and Princess Akiko attended rugby on October 3. Princess Hisako observed soccer and soft tennis on October 3 and 4. Her daughter, Princess Tsuguko, watched rubber baseball and archery on October 4 and 5.
Princess Yoko visited Kagoshima Prefecture on October 3 and 4 to attend the “Kaigo Life Festival!,” an event designed to deepen understanding of caregiving and welfare equipment.
On October 6, Princess Hisako attended the CCI France Japon Tokyo Gala Dinner, hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce in Japan, at a hotel in Tokyo.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
