Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress receive an explanation from staff about biodiversity conservation activities at Toba Aquarium, Toba City, Mie Prefecture, November 8.
Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Mie Prefecture on November 8 and 9. The imperial couple attended the National Conference for Promoting a Rich Ocean, among other events. On the 8th, they visited Toba Aquarium to observe conservation efforts for rare species, including the endangered sea otter.
In Shima City, they viewed paintings and calligraphy created for the convention and met with the children whose works had been selected. Emperor Naruhito remarked, "You must have practiced a lot," while Empress Masako smiled and said, "You've written beautifully."
On November 9, in Minamiise Town, Their Majesties inspected the training ship Shirochidori of Mie Prefectural Fisheries High School. At Shukutaso Fishing Port, a welcoming parade of fishing boats was held. Their Majesties waved cheerfully to the crowd and released spiny lobsters and red sea bream into the sea.
Engagements at the Imperial Palace
On November 10, the Emperor hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad at the Imperial Palace for a formal dinner. The following day, he attended the Autumn Grand Cordon Conferment Ceremony in the Matsu-no-Ma State Room of the Imperial Palace.
On November 13, Their Majesties attended the 60th Anniversary Ceremony of the JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Tokyo, where they met and interacted with the participants.
Princess Aiko Honors Imperial Ancestors
On November 10, prior to her official visit to Laos, their daughter, Princess Aiko, visited the Musashino Mausoleum of Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and the Musashino East Mausoleum of Empress Kojun (Nagako) in Hachioji City, Tokyo. Dressed in a long gray gown, Princess Aiko approached the mausoleums and offered a tamagushi (ritual branch) in prayer.
Crown Prince and Princess
On November 12, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) attended an award ceremony in Minato Ward, Tokyo, organized by the Dai-Nihon Nokai, an agricultural association of which he serves as president, to honor outstanding achievements in the industry. He presented certificates to three representative awardees and applauded their accomplishments.
On November 7, Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) attended the Tokyo International Deaf Arts Festival in Suginami Ward, where she watched a sign-language theater performance. After the performance, she warmly interacted with the performers using sign language.
On November 13, she visited Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture to observe cancer screenings conducted by the Ishikawa branch of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, of which she serves as president.
Their second daughter, Princess Kako, visited Nihon Kogakuin Arena in Tokyo on November 9. There, she attended the 10th National Convention of the Parent's Association for Children with Intellectual Disabilities, which also marked the organization's 70th anniversary.
Princesses' Engagements
On November 8, Princess Hitachi (Hanako) visited Tokiwamatsu Elementary School in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, to attend its 100th-anniversary ceremony. On November 13, she attended the reception for the 53rd International Symposium of the Prince Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund at a hotel in Tokyo.
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), who serves as Honorary Vice President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, visited Kagoshima Prefecture on November 12 and 13 to attend the Red Cross Convention of the Eight Prefectures of Kyushu.
Princess Akiko of Mikasa visited Hokkaido from November 6 to 8. On November 8, in Hakodate City, she delivered a lecture titled "Learning Japanese Culture in the UK" at the 50th-anniversary commemorative lecture of the Hokkaido Youth Science and Culture Foundation. On November 9, she attended the 40th Kan'in-no-miya and Princess Akiko Children's Song Contest Grand Prix in Tokyo.
Her younger sister, Princess Yoko of Mikasa, attended the opening ceremony of the 73rd National Youth Conference at a hall in Tokyo on November 7.
Princess Takamado (Hisako) visited Nara and Kyoto Prefectures from November 9 to 11. On November 9, she viewed the 77th Annual Exhibition of Shosoin Treasures at the Nara National Museum. On November 10, she attended the 40th Kyoto Prize Presentation Ceremony at the Kyoto International Conference Center.
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
