Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with recipients of the Japan Art Academy Prize during an Imperial tea gathering in the Rensui Hall of the Imperial Palace on July 6.
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Following their recent trip to the Netherlands and Belgium, Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Sento Imperial Residence in Tokyo's Akasaka Estate on July 3 to greet Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
Celebrating the Arts
On July 6, the Emperor attended the Japan Art Academy Prize ceremony in Tokyo. The awards are presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts.
Later that day, at the Shunju-no-Ma hall at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and Empress, along with their daughter Princess Aiko, viewed the award-winning works.
Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Kiko, along with their daughter Princess Kako, also attended. Film director Sang-il Lee, who received the Japan Art Academy Prize for his film Kokuho, showed them the film's screenplay and other materials.
At a tea gathering held afterward at the palace's Rensui hall, the Emperor, Empress, and other members of the Imperial Family spoke with the award recipients in a relaxed atmosphere.
Luncheon at Rensui Hall
On July 7, the Emperor hosted a luncheon at Rensui for Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi and other guests.
Meeting Overseas Aid Workers
On July 9, the Emperor and Empress met at the Imperial Residence with members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and other overseas aid workers who had recently returned to Japan. They asked about what had motivated them to participate in the program and about their experiences abroad.
Imperial Cocoonery
On the same day, Empress Masako took part in harvesting cocoons from tensan silkworms, a native Japanese species, at the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery inside the Imperial Palace. She cut branches of sawtooth oak trees bearing the cocoons.
Princess Kiko Visits Tottori
Princess Kiko, wife of Crown Prince Akishino, visited Tottori Prefecture on July 9 to attend the 62nd National Blood Donation Promotion Convention and other events. She also visited Houki Mirai, a nonprofit organization that provides disability welfare services.
The Crown Princess also visited Hino High School, where she watched students and local residents take part in various activities together. Princess Kiko joined in a game created by students, made from plastic bottles and inspired by the Finnish throwing game Mölkky. Her final throw clinched the win for her team, and she joined the students in celebrating.
After the game, she shook hands with each participating student and said, "I was very happy to be able to join you." She later watched a performance of Kojin Kagura by the school's performing arts club. Afterward, she listened carefully as students explained the club's history and the traditional tools used in kagura performances.
Princess Kako Visits Yokohama School
Princess Kako made a private visit on July 3 to Yokohama Kunmo Gakuin, a special-needs school for students with visual impairments in Yokohama's Naka Ward. She observed braille and music classes and communicated with students with visual impairments through tactile sign language, a method that involves reading hand movements through touch.
During the music class, Princess Kako joined the students in playing the tambourine as part of an ensemble performance. As she was leaving, a student told her they hoped to meet her again.
Princess Akiko and Princess Hisako
Princess Akiko of Mikasa visited Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo's Minato Ward on July 4 to watch the Japan versus Italy match in the 2026 Nations Championship. She serves as honorary president of the Japan Rugby Football Union.
Princess Takamado (Hisako) attended the Tokyo American Club's Independence Day event held in Tokyo on July 4.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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