Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, with their daughter Princess Aiko, meet with athletes after watching the swimming competitions at the Tokyo Deaflympics on November 25 in Koto Ward, Tokyo. (©Sankei by Hayato Narita)
On November 23, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito attended the Niinamesai ritual at the Shinkaden, an auxiliary hall of the Imperial Palace's Three Imperial Sanctuaries. The ceremony is held to give thanks for the year's harvest and offer prayers for the nation's prosperity and the well-being of its people. Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) also took part, and Prince Hisahito attended for the first time.
Tokyo Deaflympics
On November 25, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, accompanied by their daughter Princess Aiko, visited the Tokyo Aquatics Centre to watch the swimming competitions at the Tokyo Deaflympics. At the award ceremony, they enthusiastically applauded using sign language. During interactions with athletes, the family also conveyed their congratulations in sign language.
Other members of the Imperial Family observed Deaflympics competitions that day. Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) watched volleyball, while Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, attended the tennis competitions. Princess Akiko of Mikasa observed cycling competitions in Shizuoka Prefecture, and Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended a soccer match in Fukushima Prefecture. On the following day, Princess Kako attended the closing ceremony.
Akishino Family
Princess Aiko returned to Japan on November 22 from Laos, completing her first overseas official visit. On November 27, she attended a charity screening of the animated film "Peleliu – Guernica of Paradise" in Tokyo, which depicts the Battle of Peleliu, one of the fiercest battlefields of World War II. After the screening, Princess Aiko said, "I hope this work will remain in people's hearts as a lasting depiction of the realities of war."
On November 26, Prince Akishino attended an award ceremony hosted by the Japan Fisheries Association in Tokyo.
Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito
On November 22, Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito visited Izu Oshima in Tokyo to offer flowers at a memorial for the 2013 landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha. Princess Kiko spoke warmly with local residents, saying, "It was a terrible disaster. Please continue to take care of yourselves." Prince Hisahito added, "I was deeply moved by the strong bonds among the island residents."
On November 23, they watched the orienteering competition at the Deaflympics. Princess Kiko, fluent in sign language, cheerfully interacted with Japanese and international athletes and officials. Together with Prince Hisahito, they applauded in sign language and offered encouraging gestures such as "Go get the medal!"
Imperial Princesses' Engagements
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), honorary vice-president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, visited Fukuoka Prefecture from November 25 to 26. There, she attended the 65th anniversary general meeting of the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon Association of the Japanese Red Cross Fukuoka.
On November 26, Princess Akiko participated in a traditional duck hunting demonstration at the Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. Her younger sister, Princess Yoko, visited Mie Prefecture from November 21 to 23 to watch the 2025 Super Formula Championship at Suzuka.
Princess Takamado (Hisako), honorary president of the Japan Football Association, attended a farewell gathering for former Japan national soccer team player Kunishige Kamamoto at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on November 22. She later watched the Emperor's Cup final at Japan National Stadium. On November 26 and 27, she also attended the finals of the 77th Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Inter-Middle School English Oratorical Contest, held in a Tokyo hall.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
