An Imperial Week in Photos: Meeting President Trump, Fall Garden Party, and Shiga Visit

His Majesty Emperor Naruhito attended the opening ceremony of the 219th session of the Diet on October 24. Two days later, on October 26, the Emperor and his daughter, Princess Aiko, attended the Autumn Gagaku Concert at the Imperial Palace.

The performance, featuring ancient court music, was presented by the Imperial Household Agency's Music Department. According to an official, the Emperor commented on the gentle sounds that precede the deep beat of the drum, while Princess Aiko remarked that "the costumes were beautiful."

Meeting the US President

On the evening of October 27, His Majesty met with United States President Donald Trump, who was visiting Japan, at the Imperial Palace. During Trump's state visit to Japan in 2019, he had presented the Emperor with a viola. Emperor Naruhito reportedly told him that he still plays it from time to time. The two also spoke amicably about international peace and the achievements of Japanese players in Major League Baseball.

*His Majesty the Emperor meets with US President Donald Trump at the Imperial Palace on October 27. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)*

Autumn Garden Party

On October 28, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted the Autumn Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo's Minato Ward. His Majesty spoke with Fujisaburo Ishino, former president of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, saying of the upcoming Deaflympics in November, "I hope it will be a wonderful event." The Empress added, "I am looking forward to it very much."

*Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress speak with guests at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 28.*

*Princess Aiko, the daughter of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, greets guests in sign language at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens on October 28.*

Princess Aiko told jockey Yutaka Take that she often watches his races, while Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko, asked him, "How do you build a relationship of trust with your horses?"

*Princess Hitachi converses with guests at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 28.*

*Princess Takamado and her daughter, Princess Tsuguko, converse with guests at the Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on October 28.*

Visiting Shiga Prefecture

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited Shiga Prefecture from October 24 to 25. On the first day, they visited a nursing home for the visually impaired in the town of Taga, where they joined elderly residents in rehabilitation exercises.

The following day, they attended the opening ceremony of the 24th National Sports Festival for People with a Disability. Prince Akishino expressed his hope that "this event will help deepen understanding of people with disabilities and promote their participation in society."

*The Crown Prince and Crown Princess attend the opening ceremony of the 24th National Sports Festival for People with a Disability in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, on October 25.*

On October 29, the couple attended the Blue Planet Prize award ceremony at Tokyo Kaikan in Chiyoda Ward. The prize honors individuals and organizations contributing to solutions for global environmental issues.

Princess Kako visited Shiga Prefecture from October 25 to 26, where she watched the swimming and flying disc events of the same sports festival. On October 28, she visited a hotel in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district to observe the 22nd Charity Bazaar hosted by the Japan Middle East and Africa Women's Association. While viewing handicrafts from various countries, she admired Syrian textiles, saying, "What beautiful colors."

*Princess Kako, the second daughter of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, visits the Charity Bazaar hosted by the Japan Middle East and Africa Women's Association in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, on October 28.*

*Princess Kako interacts with elementary school students participating in Shigaraki ware painting at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, on October 26.*

Other Imperial Family Engagements

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko entered the Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa Prefecture on October 30 for rest and recuperation.

On the same day, Princess Hitachi (Hanako), Honorary Vice President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, attended the Tokyo Red Cross Convention held at Meiji Jingu Kaikan in Shibuya.

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, attended the rugby match between Japan and Australia at the National Stadium in Shinjuku on October 25. The next day, she visited Gunma Prefecture to attend the Prince Tomohito Cup / World Championship Memorial Tournament.

Her younger sister, Princess Yoko of Mikasa, attended the opening ceremony of the Japan Mobility Show, of which she serves as President, held at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward on October 30.

Princess Takamado visited Hokkaido from October 25 to 26 to attend the Starry Sky Town / Blue Sky Town National Convention. From October 26 to 27, she visited Shiga Prefecture to attend the closing ceremony of the National Sports Festival for People with a Disability.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: The Sankei Shimbun