An Imperial Week in Photos: Royal Guests, Sports Events, and Osaka Expo

On September 19, His Majesty Emperor Naruhito met at the Imperial Palace with Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and royal family member Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. They were visiting Japan to coincide with their country's National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which celebrates each participating country's national days on a rotating schedule.

Welcoming World Leaders

During the meeting, His Majesty recalled the warm welcome he and Her Majesty Empress Masako received during their visit to Bahrain in 1994, as well as seeing oil rigs in the Persian Gulf for the first time. They exchanged views on the roles of Japan and Bahrain as maritime nations. The Empress joined the meeting afterwards.

On the same day, the Emperor and Empress welcomed Prince Edward, younger brother of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, to the Imperial Palace for tea. Emperor Naruhito's daughter, Princess Aiko, also attended.

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako host Prince Edward of the United Kingdom and his wife Sophie for tea. September 19 afternoon, Imperial Palace. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)*

Earlier that day, Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko met with Prince Edward and Sophie at their residence in the Akasaka Imperial Grounds in Tokyo. Their son, Prince Hisahito, who had recently undergone his coming-of-age ceremony on September 6, also exchanged greetings.

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko meet with Prince Edward of the United Kingdom and his wife, Sophie. September 19 afternoon, Akasaka residence in Tokyo. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)

More Imperial Palace Events

On September 23, Japan's Autumnal Equinox Day, His Majesty attended the Autumn Imperial Rituals at the Koreiden and Shinden of the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko also participated, and Prince Hisahito attended for the first time.

*The Emperor and Empress meet with returning members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, September 24 afternoon, Imperial Palace. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)*

On September 24, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako met at the Imperial Palace with members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and other returning participants. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor and Empress asked many questions about the volunteers' work, including public health promotion and agricultural development.

*The Emperor and Empress meet with returning Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, September 24 afternoon, Imperial Palace. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)*

Athletics and Horse Riding

On the evening of September 21, Emperor Naruhito and his family visited the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo to watch the final day of the 2025 World Athletics Championship.

*Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko visit the Japan National Stadium to watch the World Athletics Championships Tokyo, September 21 afternoon.*

On September 23, Princess Aiko attended the 50th Aiba-no-hi ("Day of Beloved Horses") event at the Tokyo Equestrian Park (Bajikoen) in Setagaya. The Princess observed traditional imperial horsemanship performances, including the ancient Horohiki technique presented by the Imperial Household Agency's horse division.

*Princess Aiko attends the 50th Aiba-no-hi on September 23 afternoon, Tokyo Equestrian Park, Setagaya.*

She also watched equestrian performances by Kazuma Tomoto, who won a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics team eventing, and by students from junior high and high schools, applauding enthusiastically.

Akishino Family Engagements

On September 24, Crown Princess Kiko, president of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, visited Hokkaido to observe the association's activities, including tuberculosis awareness campaigns and health check-ups.

*Crown Princess Kiko experiences measuring blood oxygen levels at the Hokkaido Anti-Tuberculosis Association. September 24 afternoon, Sapporo.*

From September 24 to 25, Prince Hisahito visited Expo 2025. On the 24th, he toured the Japan and Belgium pavilions. At the Japan Pavilion, he asked about algae-based fuel, saying, "Could fuel produced from algae eventually replace petroleum in the future?"

*Crown Prince Akishino and his son Prince Hisahito visit the Netherlands Pavilion on September 25.*

*Prince Hisahito viewing exhibits at the Belgium Pavilion.*

The next day, he viewed the venue from the upper promenade of the large roof ring. At the Kansai Pavilion, he touched sand from the Tottori Sand Dunes. Crown Prince Akishino later joined him, and together they visited the Netherlands and Thailand pavilions.

*Prince Hisahito at the Grand Ring at Expo 2025.*

*Prince Hisahito visits the Kansai Pavilion on September 25.*

Princess Akiko and Princess Hisako

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, who had made an unofficial visit to Turkey to attend a ceremony for the Japanese Ceramic Exhibition commemorating 100 years of Japan-Turkey diplomatic relations, returned to Japan on September 21. The next day, she visited the Imperial Palace's Kashikodokoro to report on the successful conclusion of her visit.

From September 19 to 20, Princess Hisako visited Ehime Prefecture to attend the Japan Games Masters 2025 Ehime, where she serves as honorary president. On September 21, she attended the closing ceremony of the Empress Cup, the 58th All-Japan Women's Kyudo Championship, at the All-Japan Kyudo Federation Central Dojo in Shibuya, Tokyo.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Authors: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun