Crown Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, poses for a photo ahead of her 24th birthday, at the Imperial Residence on November 7. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)
On December 1, His Majesty the Emperor attended the Shunsai, a ritual held at the Three Palace Sanctuaries of the Imperial Palace to pray for the peace and well-being of the nation.
The same day marked the 24th birthday of his daughter, Crown Princess Aiko. His Majesty received congratulations from the Grand Steward, Vice-Grand Steward, the Grand Chamberlain, and other close staff members at the Imperial Palace.
On December 3, His Majesty met with educators who had received awards from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting was held at the Shunju-no-Ma (Grand Hall) of the Imperial Palace.
Princess Aiko
On December 1, Princess Aiko visited the Sento Imperial Palace in Akasaka, Tokyo, to greet Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko on the occasion of her birthday. She also reported on her first official overseas visit to Laos in November.
On December 3, she visited the Musashino Mausoleum of Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and the Musashino East Mausoleum of Empress Kojun (Nagako) in Hachioji, Tokyo. There, she reported on the completion of her Laos trip.
Prince Akishino
Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) marked his 60th birthday on November 30. At a prior press conference, he described the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II as a major milestone in 2025. He also spoke of the importance of passing on the lessons of history. Referring to ongoing international conflicts, he expressed deep concern for civilians affected by war. He also voiced his hope for peace.
The Crown Prince also spoke of his pleasure at the success of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, where he served as Honorary President. He also praised the strong performances by Japanese athletes at the World Athletics Championships and the Tokyo Deaflympics, both of which he attended.
Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko), who also serves as President of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, attended the Kiyose Tuberculosis Summit in Kiyose City on November 28. The next day, she attended a stage performance presented in sign language at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo.
Prince and Princess Hitachi
Prince Hitachi (Masahito) celebrated his 90th birthday on November 28. On December 1, his wife, Princess Hanako, attended the annual meeting of the Japan Belgium Society in Tokyo. Her husband serves as the society's Honorary President.
On December 3, she visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre to attend the 44th Art and Digital Photo Exhibition organized by the Japan Association for Children with Physical Disabilities. Prince Hitachi serves as President of the association.
Princess Nobuko and Princess Yoko
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko) attended a welfare concert organized by AJU Jiritsu no Ie on November 29. The event supports the independence of people with disabilities. The facility had been supported by the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, who passed away in 2012.
On December 3, she attended an event in Saitama Prefecture, where she introduced traditional duck hunting to ambassadors.
Princess Yoko of Mikasa participated in the 57th Mikasa Charity Bowling Tournament in Tokyo on November 30. Her father, the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, had served as Honorary Chairman of the event.
Princess Hisako
Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the 77th All Japan Inter-Middle School English Oratorical Contest in Tokyo on November 28. The following day, she watched a women's soccer match between Japan and Canada in Nagasaki Prefecture. Princess Hisako serves as Honorary President of the Japan Football Association.
From December 1 to 2, she visited Wakayama Prefecture to attend the Wakayama Prefecture Red Cross Conference. She serves as Honorary Vice President of the Japanese Red Cross Society. On December 3, she attended the AED Promotion Forum 2025 in Tokyo to promote the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The wider adoption of AEDs was encouraged after her late husband, Prince Takamado (Norihito), passed away from ventricular fibrillation in 2002. Princess Hisako also serves as Honorary President of the Japan AED Foundation.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
