Emperor and Empress meet with Chief Justice of Australia Stephen Gageler and his wife Carla — March 4, Imperial Palace.
On March 4, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito met with correctional facility staff from across the country who had been recognized by the Minister of Justice and the Japanese Correctional Association. The meeting took place in the Imperial Palace's Shunju-no-Ma drawing room, where he offered words of appreciation.
That same day, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako held warm conversations of about 20 minutes each with Canadian Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné and her husband Daniel Beaudette, and Chief Justice of Australia Stephen Gageler and his wife Carla Gageler, at the Imperial Residence.
During their meeting with Speaker Gagné, Their Majesties expressed sympathy over the recent wildfire damage in Canada. They also conveyed gratitude for Canada's support following disasters in Japan, including the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
With Chief Justice Gageler, His Majesty recalled fond memories of his 1974 visit to Australia and spoke of the country's rich natural environment. The conversation also touched on the relationship between the two countries, with His Majesty noting that skiing has become a popular draw for Australian visitors to Japan.
Cultural and Academic Engagements
On March 2, Princess Aiko visited Nihonbashi Takashimaya department store in Tokyo to view the 57th Contemporary Women's Calligraphy Exhibition.
"I can feel the emotions put into each character," she remarked.
The next day, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko attended the JSPS Ikushi Prize award ceremony at The Japan Academy in Taito Ward, which honors outstanding doctoral students.
On March 5, they attended the reception for the 14th Akahige Grand Prize of the Japan Medical Association at the Tokyo Prince Hotel, honoring physicians committed to community medicine.
On March 2, Princess Kako, second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, visited Chiyoda Ward to see the 57th Naruhodo Exhibition, a showcase of practical everyday inventions.
Prince Hisahito's Visit to Kyoto
Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, visited Kyoto from February 26. On the 27th, he toured Sasaki Noh Robes, a Nishijin textile workshop specializing in Noh costumes, where he observed the looms and asked, "Has it been this way since the company was founded?"
He also visited the Kyoto branch of Kasumi Kaikan, an organization that preserves traditional culture through gatherings of former aristocrats, where he tried his hand at kemari, a traditional Japanese ball game. He returned to Tokyo that evening.
Other Imperial Engagements
On March 5, Princess Hitachi (Hanako) attended a social gathering of the Japan-Denmark Society at a hotel in Tokyo. She serves as the society's president.
From February 28 to March 1, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), traveled to Hokkaido to attend the 97th International Miyasama Ski Games. Princess Akiko of Mikasa, who had already been in Hokkaido since February 25, also attended the tournament before returning to Tokyo on March 2.
On February 27, Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the 33rd Yomiuri Theater Awards ceremony at a hotel in Tokyo. The next day, she attended the 75th National Elementary and Junior High School Essay Competition Central Awards Ceremony, also in Tokyo. On March 5, she attended the Japan-Swiss Spring Ball 2026 in Tokyo.
The same day, her daughter Princess Tsuguko visited Chuo University's Myogadani Campus in Bunkyo Ward to attend the 4th Global Youth Forum for a Culture of Lawfulness.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
