An Imperial Week in Photos: Tea with African Leaders, Expo 2025, and Travels

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On August 22, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a tea party at the Shunju-no-Ma (Grand Hall) of the Imperial Palace. They welcomed leaders and their spouses from 27 countries participating in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), along with representatives from the African Union Commission.

Imperial Tea Party for TICAD Leaders

Addressing 37 African leaders, many dressed in traditional attire, the Emperor said, "I hope this conference will contribute to the further development of African nations and the happiness of their people."

*Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko during the tea party at the Imperial Palace on August 22.*

Also in attendance were Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko with their daughter Princess Kako. The Emperor's daughter, Princess Aiko, was present as well. Princess Hanako, widow of Prince Hitachi, Princess Nobuko, widow of Prince Tomohito, Princess Akiko and her younger sister Princess Yoko of the Mikasa family, and Princess Hisako of the Takamado family also attended.

Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, and Princess Kako, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, converse with guests at the tea party. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)

After the tea party, the Emperor and Empress attended the award ceremony of the Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize at the Meiji Kinenkan in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The 2025 prizes honored a researcher from Mali engaged in malaria treatment and a Swiss-based research and development organization working on new medicines. Their Majesties also met and spoke with the laureates.

*Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with the laureates of the 5th Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize at the Meiji Kinenkan in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on the afternoon of August 22.*

Visit to Nasu

On August 26, the Emperor and Empress traveled to the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture for rest. While there, they met with women who had been evacuated from Iwo Jima — where fierce battles took place between Japanese and American forces during World War II — and later resettled in Nasu.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with former residents of Iwo Jima, who were evacuated during WWII and now live in Nasu, at the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture on the afternoon of August 26.

The women spoke about their experiences of evacuation and resettlement. The Emperor responded, "You must have endured such hardships." The Empress added with compassion, "I'm glad you made it through safely."

Emperor Emeritus in Karuizawa

On August 23, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, who are staying in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, visited the Ohinata settlement. The settlement was established by returnees from former Manchuria after the war. They viewed a monument inscribed with a poem composed by Emperor Showa (Hirohito).

The couple also strolled through cabbage fields. "The leaves are curling nicely," the Emperor Emeritus remarked. Looking out at the surrounding mountains, the Empress Emerita smiled and said, "The mountains are so clear today."

*Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko stroll through the vegetable fields of the Ohinata settlement on the morning of August 23 in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture.*

Princess Kako at Expo 2025

That same day, Princess Kako visited the site of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. She toured the Japan Pavilion, which is themed on recycling. She viewed one of the world's largest Martian rocks, discovered in Antarctica by a Japanese research team. At an exhibit on algae, she commented, "Algae are surprisingly efficient, aren't they?"

*Princess Kako, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, at the Japan Pavilion on the afternoon of August 23.*

She also viewed Earth at Night, a lacquerware globe created with Wajima-nuri techniques. The globe survived the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake without damage and has since become a symbol of recovery. Princess Kako, who serves as president of the Japan Kogei (Crafts) Association, said, "I'm really glad I was able to see it."

*Princess Kako views the large Wajima-nuri lacquer globe at the Earth at Night Pavilion on August 23.*

The Princess also visited the Brazil Pavilion, which she toured during her official visit to Brazil in June 2025. She then stopped by the Peru Pavilion, which she had visited in 2023.

*Princess Kako tours the Peru Pavilion at Expo 2025.*

Princess Akiko, Princess Hisako, and Princess Tsuguko

On August 23, Princess Akiko departed from Haneda Airport on a commercial flight to the United Kingdom. She will attend the Women's Rugby World Cup and serves as honorary president of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

On August 24, Princess Hisako attended the awards ceremony of the 41st Takamado Cup Japan Budokan Calligraphy Exhibition in Tokyo.

*Princess Tsuguko, eldest daughter of Princess Hisako of Takamado, attends the Special Day of United Nations at Expo 2025 on the morning of August 22.*

On August 22, Princess Tsuguko, the eldest daughter of Princess Hisako, attended a United Nations ceremony at Expo 2025. She also toured the UN and Italian Pavilions.

Author: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun

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