Imperial Family
The imperial couple arrived in Ehime Prefecture on Saturday to meet people affected by storms.
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Japan's Imperial couple, along with Princess Aiko, have postponed a visit to Tohoku due to cold symptoms. The trip was planned to inspect recovery efforts in areas hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Emperor Naruhito met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday, discussing water issues. The emperor expressed sympathy for the floods that struck Kazakhstan last year and voiced concern over water shortages due to the declining level of the Caspian Sea. Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan is seeking a comprehensive approach from the United Nations to address water problems.
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Princess Aiko attended a ceremony on December 14 commemorating the 50th anniversary of Chiba University's School of Nursing, where she delivered a speech wishing for its continued success. She reflected on her May visit to areas hit by the January 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, stressing the growing importance of nursing and support for disaster victims in emergencies. Around 400 people, including students and staff, joined the event.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako plan to visit Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures in 2026, 15 years after the massive earthquake and tsunami. The trip, announced by people familiar with the matter, reflects their ongoing commitment to the affected regions.
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Japan's Emperor and Empress visited Mie Prefecture for a two-day trip to attend an annual convention promoting the fishing industry. On Saturday, they toured Toba Aquarium, observing the feeding of protected species like sea otters and dugongs. On Sunday, they participated in the 44th National Festival of Celebration for Maritime Resources in Shima, where the Emperor recalled childhood memories.