An Imperial Week in Photos: Empress Masako's Birthday and Deaflympics Gold Medalists
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress look at an album of photographs from their July visit to Mongolia at the Imperial Palace on December 3. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)
On December 6, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito attended the Japanese Alpine Club's 120th anniversary ceremony and commemorative banquet at a hotel in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward. Prior to the ceremony, His Majesty viewed a panel exhibition highlighting the club's anniversary projects and remarked on its long history.
Empress Masako's Birthday
On December 9, Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended events at the Imperial Palace celebrating the Empress's 62nd birthday. In the afternoon, they visited the Sento Imperial Residence within the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo, home to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
To mark her birthday, Empress Masako released a written statement through the Imperial Household Agency. The Empress noted that 2025 marks 80 years since the end of World War II and recalled attending memorial services at former battlefields and atomic bomb sites.
She expressed the hope that "records and materials such as photographs and footage from that time will be properly preserved and passed on, and that the hardships endured during and after the war will continue to be conveyed to future generations."
The Empress also referred to her attendance in January at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, writing that she was "deeply moved to see people in the affected areas steadily advancing reconstruction step by step despite immense difficulties."
Looking ahead to the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2026, she wrote, "I would like to spend that time keeping the affected communities close in my thoughts."
The Akishino Family
On December 5, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) visited Kanagawa Prefecture to attend the 24th Species Conservation Conference hosted by the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which he serves as president. Prior to the conference, he observed the care of Indian elephants, designated as an endangered species, at Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia.
On the 9th, the Crown Prince and his family met with Japanese gold medalists from the Tokyo Deaflympics for about 45 minutes at their residence within the Akasaka Estate. Communicating in part through sign language, the family listened to the athletes' future aspirations and enjoyed warm, friendly exchanges.
On the 11th, Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) met with international trainees of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, of which she serves as president, at the family residence.
Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), an ambassador for the International Judo Federation, visited Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on December 6 and 7 to watch the judo tournament Grand Slam Tokyo 2025.
On the 6th, Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the 64th International Speech Contest in Japanese for foreign nationals, held in Akishima City, Tokyo. Princess Hisako serves as honorary chair of the supporting members' association of the International Education Center, which organizes the contest.
On the 10th, Princess Hisako visited a hotel in Tokyo to attend the Ikebana International Fair 2025. It was hosted by the Tokyo Chapter of Ikebana International, for which she serves as honorary president. The organization aims to foster friendships around the world through ikebana and Japanese culture.
At the fair, Princess Hisako viewed works by heads of various ikebana schools and commented on the creativity of pieces that used teapots and cups as flower vessels. At the opening ceremony, she remarked, "I believe this serves as an important bridge, allowing people around the world to feel a connection with Japan through ikebana."
On the 11th, Princess Hisako, who also serves as honorary president of the Japan Football Association, attended the J.League's annual awards ceremony at Yokohama Arena.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
