An Imperial Week in Photos: Meeting Kazakhstan's President and Princess Takamado's Cultural Engagements

On December 12, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met at the Imperial Palace with recipients of the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Award, including people with disabilities who have achieved independence through rehabilitation. The Emperor encouraged those in attendance, "I hope you will continue your activities in good health."

On December 15, a court ritual known as the Kashikodokoro Mikagura was held at the Kashikodokoro shrine within the Imperial Palace. During the ceremony, sacred music was offered to the imperial ancestral deity Amaterasu.

The Emperor prayed alongside Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko. Other members of the Imperial Family were also in attendance, including Princess Aiko, the only daughter of the Emperor and Empress.

Visit to Princess Mikasa's Grave

On December 17, the Emperor and Empress visited Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward to pay their respects at the grave of Princess Mikasa (Yuriko), who passed away in November 2024. They were received by Princess Akiko, Princess Mikasa's granddaughter and the chief mourner. The Emperor bowed deeply before the grave, followed by the Empress.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with Princess Akiko after paying their respects at the graves of Prince Mikasa and Princess Yuriko on December 17 at Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward.

Meeting with Kazakhstan's President

On the 18th, the Emperor met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan at the Imperial Palace during the president's official working visit to Japan and hosted a luncheon in his honor. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the meeting lasted about 20 minutes. The Emperor reportedly referred to Kinbozan Haruki, a sumo wrestler born in Kazakhstan, noting that awareness of the country is growing in Japan. Crown Prince Akishino also attended the luncheon.

Princess Aiko's Engagements

On December 14, Princess Aiko visited Chiba University to attend a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the university's School of Nursing. In her address, she noted that as medical care advances, the population ages, and demand for home-based care increases, nursing is required to respond to an increasingly diverse range of healthcare needs.

*Princess Aiko delivers remarks at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Chiba University's School of Nursing on December 14 in Chiba City. (©Sankei by Ikue Mio)*

On the 17th, Princess Aiko took part for the first time on her own as a host at an event at the Imperial Household Agency's Saitama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve, where foreign ambassadors to Japan were introduced to the traditional practice of duck hunting.

International Prize for Biology Ceremony

On the same day, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the 41st International Prize for Biology award ceremony at the Japan Academy Hall in Tokyo. In his remarks, the Crown Prince praised the recipient's research as a groundbreaking achievement that opened a new field in the study of the neural mechanisms underlying the understanding of others' behavior. The couple later spoke with the award recipients at a tea reception.

*Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko speak with recipients of the 41st International Prize for Biology on December 17 at the Japan Academy Hall in Tokyo's Taito Ward.*

Princess Kako at Urban Green Awards

On December 15, Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attended the 8th "Green 'Wa' Exchange Gathering – Urban Green Three Awards Ceremony" at Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo. In her remarks, she expressed appreciation for the dedication and efforts behind each recipient's activities. After the ceremony, she toured the exhibits and listened to explanations of the award-winning initiatives.

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, listens to an explanation of an award-winning project at the 8th "Green 'Wa' Exchange Gathering – Urban Green Three Awards Ceremony" on December 15 at Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo's Minato Ward.

Princess Takamado's Cultural Engagements

On December 12, Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the opening ceremony of a commemorative exhibition at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum marking the donation of her collection. The exhibition, titled Wan Wan Grand Parade, features ceramic dog figurines donated by the princess.

*Princess Takamado views an exhibition of ceramic dog figurines she donated at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum on December 12 in Seto, Aichi Prefecture.*

As honorary president of the Prince Takamado Memorial Foundation for Japan–Korea Exchange, Princess Hisako visited the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo on December 16 to attend the foundation's 14th commendation ceremony.

On the 17th, she also visited the 66th Press Photography Exhibition at a Tokyo department store, viewing photographs including images from the Emperor and Empress's visit to Mongolia.