Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their daughter, Princess Aiko, lay flowers at the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum on April 6 in Futaba, Fukushima Prefecture.
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His Majesty the Emperor attended rituals at the Koreiden, one of the Three Palace Sanctuaries, on April 3, observed as the anniversary of the death of Emperor Jimmu, Japan's legendary first emperor.
Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko also paid their respects. Her Majesty the Empress offered prayers from the Imperial Residence. Other members of the Imperial Family, including Princess Aiko, the daughter of Their Majesties, also attended the ceremony at the Koreiden.
Visit to Fukushima
On April 6 and 7, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko traveled to Fukushima Prefecture to mark the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. On the first day, they visited the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum, where they offered flowers in memory of the victims and prayed for the region's recovery.
The Emperor took a keen interest in the decontamination efforts, asking detailed questions about the handling of treated soil and the work carried out at final disposal sites. In a meeting with residents who had been displaced by the nuclear accident, Empress Masako offered her heartfelt sympathy, telling them, "It must have been very difficult."
The following day, the three visited the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka, where they viewed exhibits documenting the disaster response. These included a recreation of the emergency headquarters and a police car swept up by the tsunami.
They also heard about an officer who went missing while using the vehicle to guide residents to safety. His parents have never been able to bring themselves to visit the exhibit. After hearing the story, the Empress reflected on the lasting impact of the disaster, 15 years on.
Community Visits and Traditional Craft
The family then traveled to Okuma Town, where they observed classes at Manabiya Yume no Mori school, and spoke with survivors of the disaster. Princess Aiko gently asked one woman who had returned to the town following her evacuation, "How has it been since coming back?"
The visit concluded at Michinoeki Namie, where they viewed the traditional craft of Obori Soma ware pottery.
Rice Ceremony
On April 9, the Emperor took part in a rice-sowing ceremony, known as Otemaki, at the seedbed near the Biological Research Institute within the Imperial Palace grounds. He carefully sowed around 720 seeds, including the non-glutinous variety Nihonmasari and the glutinous variety Mangetsumochi.
Akishino Family
On April 7, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the reception for the 34th Global Environment Awards at Meiji Kinenkan in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The Crown Prince engaged warmly with the award recipients, asking them about their plans to advance their research in the years ahead.
The next day, Crown Princess Kiko and her second daughter, Princess Kako, visited Nihonbashi Takashimaya, a department store in Tokyo, to view an ikebana exhibition.
The following day, the Crown Princess attended the 25th anniversary ceremony of the National College of Nursing in Kiyose. In her address, she expressed her hope that the college will continue to grow as a center of education and research, training nurses and midwives equipped to contribute to advanced medical care and international health cooperation.
Sports Engagements
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), who is an ambassador for the International Judo Federation, attended the 2026 All Japan Judo Championships by Weight Category in Fukuoka Prefecture on April 4–5. She celebrated her 71st birthday on April 9.
Princess Akiko of Mikasa, president of the Ski Instructors Association of Japan (SIA), visited Iwate Prefecture from April 3–5. She observed the demonstrator selection event (for elite instructors who showcase advanced skiing techniques) at the 48th SIA Festival and also attended the awards ceremony.
Her younger sister, Princess Yoko, attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 All Japan Super Formula Championship in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, on April 4, where she also watched the final race of the opening round.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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