Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend a meeting with Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and his wife on February 3.
On January 30, the anniversary of the death of Emperor Komei (Osahito), father of Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito), the Annual Memorial Ceremony for Emperor Komei was held at the Koreiden Hall of the Three Palace Sanctuaries within the Imperial Palace.
His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito), and Crown Princess Kiko attended and paid their respects. Other members of the Imperial Family were also present, including Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress.
On the same day, Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the Annual Mausoleum Memorial Ceremony for Emperor Komei at his mausoleum in Kyoto.
Meeting with Nepalese President
On February 3, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met with Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel and First Lady Sabita Paudel at the Imperial Residence. They discussed disaster relief cooperation and the friendly relationship between the two countries.
The Emperor recalled his visit to Nepal in 1987, saying, "It is a beautiful country that left a strong impression on me," and presented the presidential couple with photographs he took during that trip.
Flower Exhibition and Awards Ceremony
On January 30, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, and their second daughter, Princess Kako, visited the 74th Kanto-Tokai Flower Exhibition in Tokyo. The exhibition featured flowers grown by producers from one metropolitan area and 11 prefectures in the Kanto and Tokai regions, including a special display from Tochigi Prefecture.
On February 3, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess attended an awards ceremony at the Japan Academy Hall in Tokyo honoring recipients of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Prize and the Japan Academy Medal, both of which recognize outstanding young researchers.
In his address, Prince Akishino emphasized that addressing challenges such as climate change and natural disasters requires intellectual contributions from a wide range of academic disciplines.
He also praised the awardees, saying that the achievements of young researchers are encouraging not only for the advancement of scholarship but also for the public, which benefits from and shares in those achievements. After the ceremony, the couple spoke with the recipients, asking detailed questions about their research.
Princess Nobuko and Princess Akiko
Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, assumed the role of Honorary President of the Nippon Bonsai Association on February 1.
On the same day, Princess Akiko, Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, visited Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo. She watched the final of the National Women's Rugby Championship and attended the awards ceremony.
From February 2 to 4, Princess Akiko visited Fukui Prefecture to inspect schools accredited by the West Japan branch of the Professional Ski Instructors Association of Japan, of which she serves as President.
Princess Hisako's Engagements
On the morning of February 4, Princess Hisako of Takamado visited Yokohama's Red Brick Warehouse to attend the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition "Japan Through Diplomats' Eyes 2025." First held in 1998, the exhibition showcases photographs of Japan taken by diplomats from around the world. Princess Hisako serves as Honorary President of the event.
Later that afternoon, Princess Hisako attended the opening ceremony of "World Orchid Exhibition 2026 — Festival of Flowers and Greenery" at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall. In her address, she noted that the diverse orchids found around the world reflect the richness of biodiversity and serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting it and passing it on to future generations.
After the ceremony, Princess Hisako toured the exhibition, asking the winner of the Japan Grand Prize — awarded to the country's top orchid — about the challenges involved in growing orchids and commenting on the exhibit's beauty.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
