Crown Princess Kiko is greeted by staff during her visit to a group medical screening site in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on July 23.
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Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, together with their daughter Princess Aiko, spent time at the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture for a period of rest. On July 17 and 21, the Emperor carried out official duties, reviewing, signing, and affixing his seal to government documents related to Cabinet decisions.
Crown Princess Attends Charity Concert
Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) attended a charity concert on July 20 at Toppan Hall in Tokyo, organized by a patient group for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a designated intractable disease in Japan.
The program featured a choir of patients and their families, as well as readings of letters sharing their experiences from the onset of the illness to the present day. The Crown Princess applauded warmly throughout the performance.
After the concert, she met with members of the choir and spoke about the importance of raising awareness of the disease among healthcare professionals, describing the concert as "a deeply moving experience."
Ishikawa Visit
On July 22 and 23, the Crown Princess visited Ishikawa Prefecture to inspect the activities of the prefectural branch of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, of which she serves as president.
After arriving from Tokyo on July 22, she received briefings from local public health and welfare officials on their work.
The following day, she visited a group medical screening site in Wajima City operated by the prefectural branch under contract with the city government. Beginning early in the morning, the Crown Princess helped prepare the venue by carrying equipment and warmly greeted local residents attending the screening.
She later visited Kushihi no Sho Zen no Sato, a community exchange center in Wajima City, where she learned about flower beds planted by local residents as part of the "One Person, One Flower in the Noto Peninsula" initiative, which aims to beautify vacant lots and other areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.
The Crown Princess also visited Hapimaru Cafe, a community space where pregnant women, new mothers, families with infants, and midwives can interact. According to those present, she held babies and read picture books to young children.
Princess Hitachi's Birthday
Princess Hitachi (Hanako) celebrated her 86th birthday on July 19.
Princess Nobuko Visits Judo Tournament
Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko), who serves as an ambassador for the International Judo Federation, visited Fukuoka Prefecture on July 22 and 23 to attend the Kinshuki High School Judo Tournament.
Super Formula Championship
Princess Yoko of Mikasa visited Shizuoka Prefecture from July 17 to 19 in conjunction with the 3rd Princess Yoko Cup 2026 All Japan Super Formula Championship. On July 18, she attended the start ceremony at Fuji Speedway in Oyama Town, and on July 19 presented the championship trophy to the winner at the awards ceremony.
Princess Hisako's Engagements
Princess Takamado (Hisako), honorary president of the Badminton Association of Japan, attended the finals of the Daihatsu Japan Open 2026 Badminton Championships at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on July 19.
On July 22, Princess Hisako attended the 39th Advanced Technology Award for Pioneering Originality, held at the Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo. The awards recognize outstanding achievements by engineering and science students and young corporate researchers.
In her remarks, she said, "As a nation built on science and technology, I hope these innovations, which contribute to people's lives, safety, security, and health, will spread from Japan to the world and benefit many fields."
Following the ceremony, she met with the award recipients. After hearing that some research projects were being conducted across universities, she remarked, "Perhaps this kind of collaboration will become more common in the future." She concluded by encouraging the researchers, saying, "I look forward to seeing your future research."
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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