Princess Kako & Prince Hisahito Current Events Part 3: October 2021 -


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On April 8th, Prince Hisahito submitted updated references and annotations for his essay "Visiting the Ogasawara Islands" following plagiarism accusations. His essay received 2nd place at Kitakyushu City's Children's Nonfiction Literature Awards last year.

Akishino family top aide Ryuji Kachi reports the updated references/annotations will be posted on the competition sponsor Kitakyushu City Literature Museum's website in the future. No specific corrections were made [to the essay?]

Sources: Jiji, Sankei


More about Prince Hisahito's high school entrance ceremony on April 9:
- he met press before the ceremony, standing outside the alumni association of the junior high school and high school.
- his parents also attended the entrance ceremony in the gymnasium.
- University of Tsukuba's Senior High School doesn't have uniforms so Prince Hisahito wore a dark blue suit
- He will visit Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, and Empress Emerita Michiko for greetings.
- Prince Hisahito is expected to go to school by car due to security issues.

Photos/sources: Mainichi, Sankei, Jiji
Prince Hisahito Enters High School | Nippon.com
[...]

Ahead of the ceremony, 15-year-old Prince Hisahito, who was wearing a navy-blue suit and a striped tie as the high school does not have a uniform, agreed to be photographed by himself.

Reporters told Prince Hisahito, "Congratulations." Prince Hisahito replied, "Thank you very much," while bowing to the media corps, and said, "(At the high school), I'd like to concentrate on my studies and further deepen my understanding of things that I'm interested in."

[...]
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Another video of Prince Hisahito speaking to the press.

 
The young Prince is as poised and self possessed as everyone else in the JIF.;)
 
Stricter security at University of Tsukuba Senior High School per Mainichi (includes photo of spike strip)

- a sports school, which rents a ground at the high school, said IDs have been required to enter since April. Children must carry ID even when playing sports and guardians must have driver's license at all times.
- 2 new private security guards at main gate, 24-hour coverage
- spike strips, fence repairs, security cameras
- In February, it was announced that officers from the Security Division would be assigned to the chief of the Otsuka station in the jurisdiction of the high school.
- following the knife incident at Ochanomizu University junior high, Crown Prince Akishino recognizes the importance of security but wants to avoid inconveniencing others / civilian life.

Dot.Asahi article uses photos from a Mr. Abe who captured Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko leaving the campus after the entrance ceremony around 11:15am. Prince Hisahito left about 40 minutes later.

The author Takako Nagai notes that besides the press, about 10 people gathered to see Prince Hisahito. While the imperial system is not determined by popularity, "it was a spectacle that the relationship between the people and the Akishino-no-miya family was still jerky due to the low level of attention to the ceremonies of the "future emperor." "

Both parents attended Prince Hisahito's school entrance and graduation ceremonies whereas Crown Prince Akishino stopped attending their daughters' school milestones after Princess Mako's primary school graduation.

Quotes:
"Even in high school, both parents will attend the entrance ceremony of Hisahito. You probably love Hisahito in particular." (Imperial Household Agency staff)

I've heard many times from people with whom the Akishino-no-miya family interacted that "Mako and Kako wanted to leave the imperial family early on."

Sponichi also has photo of the Crown Prince couple
 
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On May 7th, Princess Kako attended the 31st Forest and Flower Festival "Green Thanksgiving" (Midori no Kanshasai) at Iino Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. She served as honorary president, inheriting the event from her parents (until 2018) and sister Mako Komuro (2019). The government and various greenery promotion organizations sponsor the festival which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

This is Kako's first public activity since November 2020.

Photos: Mainichi, AP Images
Video: https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/78365041a7fe4afb931e43a9d75cd1c6

https://twitter.com/x/status/1522823249532710913
 
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Public interested in Prince Hisahito’s pedagogical environment - The Japan News By Takeshi Okimura / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior Writer
Prince Hisahito, 15, the son of Crown Prince Akishino, started studying at the University of Tsukuba’s high school this spring. The prince is the first male member of the Imperial family to attend the school. Some people expressed disapproval of the unprecedented move.

He will become an adult member of the family while still in the school. His education and the thinking behind it will certainly attract public attention from now on due to their significance in preparing the prince to become the emperor in the future, serving as the symbol of the nation.

Based on own wishes
[...]

Prince Hisahito carefully read information materials about high schools, listened to alumni, and finally expressed his wish to attend the Senior High School at Otsuka, University of Tsukuba, the motto of which is “Independence, Autonomy and Freedom.”

[...]

Gakushuin not only choice
His admission to the high school caused a stir partly because it was granted under a partnership system between the University of Tsukuba and Ochanomizu University. [...]

Although it was explained that his grades had met the criteria to receive a recommendation for admission, a rumor spread online that the partnership system had been established five years ago to give the prince special treatment.

Conversely, when speculation spread that the prince would take the general entrance examination with other applicants, other people complained that an Imperial family member should never compete with ordinary citizens.

There is an opinion that each Imperial family member must be given treatment equal to others of the family, and that in this respect the prince must learn at Gakushuin as the other male members did. At the same time, the changing environment for the Imperial family’s education should also be considered.

[...]

Prince Hisahito was the first boy born into the Imperial family in 41 years. There was no longer any reason to presume that his only educational option should be Gakushuin.

The education of the Emperor Emeritus when he was young was supported by Shinzo Koizumi, a former president of Keio University who served as his special tutor. The current Emperor had no such tutor.

It has long since become difficult for the Imperial family to have someone permanently in their service to educate young members. The young members instead have learned and developed their personalities at ordinary schools with ordinary citizens.

An aide to Crown Prince Akishino’s household said, “I hope people understand [Imperial family members’] efforts to seek the best school.”

Insufficient explanation
However, the Imperial Household Agency’s attitude toward this matter is questionable. It explained the reasons for the unprecedented school choice using such vague expressions as “the prince’s wish,” “the school’s educational policy,” and “the opinions of well-informed people.”

Yuji Otabe, a professor emeritus of Shizuoka University of Welfare who specializes in studies of the Imperial family, said: “[The agency] needs to explain what the future symbol of the nation is going to learn and ask for the public understanding of it.”

Prince Hisahito’s school fees have been paid from the Imperial family allowances, which cover private expenses, at the request of the crown prince’s household, even though they could be covered by public funds. Consequently, the agency’s involvement has been limited.

[...]

It is also necessary to consider his education so that both the prince and the people of Japan can envision how he will support the Imperial family in the near future.

[...]

Under the revised Civil Code that came into effect in April, Prince Hisahito, a nephew of the Emperor, will become an adult member when he turns 18 in the autumn of his last year in high school.

This is likely to coincide with the time to decide his higher education and related matters after finishing high school.

“We will give opportunities for the public to see how he is growing through his high school life and to create an environment where decisions on his future will be widely understood,” a senior official of the Imperial Household Agency said.
Click to expand...
 
Prince Hisahito joined the badminton club at University of Tsukuba's Senior High School after visiting several clubs.
He belonged to the table tennis club at Ochanomizu University Junior High School.
Source: https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/369777

English version of the security article from post #34: Security beefed up at Tokyo high school attended by Japan's Prince Hisahito - The Mainichi

More about the Princess Kako and the 69th Sankei Children's Book Award ceremony on June 3:
- 8 works were selected from over 4,000 entries
- Sankei posted her full speech

Asahi gallery

Princess Kako attends children’s book award ceremony - The Japan News
... “I hope that many more works will be produced in the future that will remain in the hearts of readers,” she said.

After the ceremony, she met with the 10 award winners.
Click to expand...
Full ceremony
Longer video of Princess Kako at the 31st Forest and Flower Festival "Green Thanksgiving" (Midori no Kanshasai) on May 7
 
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She is really involved with the disabled. So not surprising to see her attending this event. I am sure it is appreciated by the Japanese disabled community (in many different forms). I wonder whether she will also take an active interest in the paralympic games.
 
She attended the dance concert with her mother in 2017 and by herself in 2019.

I wonder about the Imperial family participation at the Olympics and Paralympics if the pandemic hadn't happened... I assume they would have attended like how they attend the National Sports Festival although I hoped they'd also present medals as some British royals did in 2012.


On June 14th, Princess Kako was appointed President of Japan Kōgei Association, succeeding her sister Mako Komuro who served from June 2016 to October 2021. The IHA reports Princess Kako is interested in Japanese crafts, including joining Mako's meetings with association officials 4 times. The association requested Kako's appointment.

From now on, as president, Princess Kako is expected to participate in activities such as selecting awards for the "Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition" sponsored by the association and attending the award ceremony from August to September. She already succeeded Mako's other patronage, Japan Tennis Association, last October.

Sources: Sankei, Jiji, NHK
 
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On June 29th, Princess Kako attended the 30th anniversary ceremony of the Japanese Breast Cancer Society at the Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Her greeting mentioned the importance of self checks for early detection and regular examinations by specialists, hoping knowledge will be further disseminated and improve treatment outcomes. She was also impressed by detailed content such as the "Breast Cancer Practice Guidelines for Patients" prepared by the society.

This is Kako's 1st medical conference and 1st public activity outside Tokyo in 2 years and 9 months. About 60 specialists attended the ceremony. Her grandmother Empress Emerita Michiko had surgery for early stage breast cancer 3 years ago.

Photos: AP Images, Mainichi, Sankei, Jiji, FNN

https://twitter.com/x/status/1542017553987293186
 
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Princess Kako visited Hokkaido Prefecture July 12-13 to attend the 39th National Urban Greening Fair in Eniwa City. After the ceremony on the 13th, she visited a street garden "Hanasanpo Street" and planted an Ezoyama cherry sapling. [Jiji]

The national fair is the central event of "Hokkaido Garden Festa" and its been 36 years since Hokkaido held a "Garden Festa." This is Kako's first regional visit in 3 years due to the pandemic. She mentioned her childhood memories of Hokkaido in her speech.

Photos: AP Images, Asahi, FNN

https://twitter.com/x/status/1547062769370796032
https://twitter.com/x/status/1547124576768823297
https://twitter.com/x/status/1547185271242133504
 
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Prince Hisahito will accompany his parents at the National High School Comprehensive Cultural Festival on July 31 in Tokyo.

The organizers requested his attendance at the opening ceremony, etc. and the Akishino household was able to respond. Prince Hisahito started summer vacation this week.

He watched the opening ceremony, which was held virtually, with his parents last year.

Source: https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000262560.html
 
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Thanks! Princess Kako attended the Girl Scouts of Japan "100th Anniversary International Camp in Togakushi" in Nagano Prefecture. She listened to presentations on issues such as gender equality and lit a campfire in the evening. About 90 junior and senior high school scouts participated.

Princess Kako attended the Girl Scout camp in 2010 when she was 1st year student in high school, and her mother visited.

more galleries: Mainichi, Nikkansports, FNN includes 2010 photos, Asahi includes her parents Boy Scouts convention in Tokyo
 
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It's already September 6 in Japan - Prince Hisahito turned 16.

Photos and video were taken on August 7 at Akasaka Estate. Prince Hisahito enjoys learning all subjects in high school. He joined the badminton team and is training for physical fitness and basic steps. At home, he continues researching dragonfly habitats and growing rice and vegetables. Prince Hisahito has an ongoing rice crossbreeding experiment. This summer, he grew okra and watermelon.

Photos/info: Asahi, Mainichi

Japan's Prince Hisahito, 2nd in line to throne, turns 16 - Kyodo News
Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito and second in line to the Japanese imperial throne, turned 16 Tuesday after starting senior high school this spring.

The son of Crown Prince Fumihito graduated from Ochanomizu University Junior High School in March and entered a senior high school attached to the University of Tsukuba, also in Tokyo, the following month.

The senior high school, formally called Senior High School at Otsuka, the University of Tsukuba, is known for being a highly competitive educational institution.

[...]

Prince Hisahito continues to be attracted to dragonflies, an interest he picked up during his elementary school years, and does related fieldwork on the grounds of Akasaka Estate, where he lives with his family, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

At school, he joined the badminton team.

During a three-day school excursion to the resort town of Tateshina, Nagano Prefecture, in late July, the prince practiced orienteering within the mountains and did some hiking on Mt. Tateshina, the agency said.

In the weeks leading up to his graduation from junior high school, the prince worked on a graduation performance with his classmates that included a choir concert and presentation of academic achievements.

[...]
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This the first time a royal birthday video includes audio. The IHA responded to news media, including TV stations, requesting audio.
 
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He's very comfortable being outside, isn't he? Hardly seems like a typical kid with their phone at all.
 
On September 10th, Princess Kako attended the 39th National High School Sign Language Speech Contest at Yūrakuchō Asahi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Her greeting at the opening ceremony was about 6 minutes.

Photos: Mainichi, FNN
 
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On September 14th, Princess Kako attended the 69th Traditional Crafts Exhibition, sponsored by Japan Kogei Association, at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Chuo Ward, Tokyo. She selected a lacquer-finished bamboo flower basket for the President's Award. Princess Kako attended the award ceremony in the afternoon. She took over as patron of Japan Kogei Association after her sister Mako married.

Photos/info: Mainichi, AP Images, NHK, Sankei

https://twitter.com/x/status/1569970933871562752
 
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Prince Hisahito will visit Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture alone for the first time on October 1, taking advantage of school holidays. He will also visit a special exhibition related to the shrine and Shosoin Treasures.
Sources: FNN, NTV

Prince Hisahito last visited Ise Jingu in 2013 with his parents and Princess Kako: Getty Image

Oooh, the weekly magazines and Emperor vs. Akishino fans will have much to discuss... October 1 is also Emperor Naruhito's first regional visit outside of Tokyo since the pandemic.
 
Princess Kako attended a wheelchair basketball match in Tottori Prefecture today, September 24:


** tt.se gallery **
 
Prisma said:
Prince Hisahito will visit Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture alone for the first time on October 1, taking advantage of school holidays. He will also visit a special exhibition related to the shrine and Shosoin Treasures.
Sources: FNN, NTV

[...]
Click to expand...

Asahi clarifies the October 1 visit is private so it's not Prince Hisahito's first official solo activity.

iceflower said:
Princess Kako attended a wheelchair basketball match in Tottori Prefecture today, September 24:


** tt.se gallery **
Click to expand...
More galleries: Asahi, TBS

Princess Kako visited Tottori Prefecture September 24-25 for the 9th National High School Sign Language Performance Koshien. 15 teams from 12 prefectures participated. Afterwards, she met the winning team: 2nd-year student at Omiya Deaf Academy, Motoka Naritsuka (16), and 2nd-year student at Sakato Deaf Academy, Chisaki Kichise (16).

Day 2 photos: Asahi, Asahi2, Mainichi, FNN
 
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On October 1st, Prince Hisahito privately visited Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture. After arriving around 2pm, he worshipped at the Outer and Inner Shrines (Gekū and Naikū). Afterwards, Prince Hisahito visited the Jingu Art Museum in Ise City to see a special exhibition of cultural assets related to Ise Jingu and Shosoin.

According to the IHA, he received an invitation to the the special exhibition and decided to visit privately on his school break.
Sources: TBS, NHK

Photos: FNN, Asahi, Getty

https://twitter.com/x/status/1576087606005489664
https://twitter.com/x/status/1576159767508455425
TV Tokyo mentions Princess Aiko has yet to visit Ise Jingu after coming-of-age and has never visited by herself.
 
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Princess Kako attended the Japan Deaf U-18 Athletics Championships at Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium in Tokyo today, October 1:


** gettyimages gallery **
 
The family has such a commitment to service, it's wonderful
 
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