Crown Prince Naruhito's Engagement to Masako Owada (1993 Press Conference)

ANNnewsCH Posts 2001 Footage of Princess Aiko's Birth

ANNnewsCH Posts 1993 Footage of Masako Owada and Crown Prince Naruhito During Wedding Formalities

May 2001 AP Footage of Then Crown Prince Naruhito Visiting Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle

Emperor Akihito Undergoes Heart Surgery

Emperor Akihito of Japan underwent heart surgery today at the University of Tokyo Hospital. According to his attending physicians, the emperor’s coronary artery bypass surgery was a success.

Akihito was admitted to the hospital on Friday after having a coronary angiography by arterial catheter procedure done on February 11th.

In the meantime, Crown Prince Naruhito will be delegated matters of state as his father recovers from heart surgery.

The Imperial Household Agency announced that a visitor’s book for Emperor Akihito will be open during his stay in the hospital starting from February 17th between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm at the Sakashita-mon Gate, Imperial Palace, Tokyo. The IHA will not accept sympathy gifts and flowers.

Photo: Reuters

Prince Hisahito Celebrates His Second Birthday

The Imperial Household Agency has released new photos of Prince Hisahito this week. The little prince turned two years old today. He is second in line to the throne after his uncle, Crown Prince Naruhito.Photos: REUTERS

Prince Naruhito Recalls Endoscopic Treatment at Conference

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan addressed the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery in Yokohama, Japan on September 2nd. He related his experience with endoscopic treatment to the conference attendees and said, “I myself underwent endoscopic treatment last year to have a polyp removed from my duodenum, and thus from a patient’s point of view, I can attest to the amazing advances that have been made in endoscopic surgery.”

Crown Prince Naruhito’s entire address to the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery can be read here.

For more information on the Eleventh World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, visit the official website.

Fifth Visit to Spain for Japan’s Crown Prince

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan visited the expo at Zaragoza yesterday which his royal counterpart, the Prince of Orange, had toured last month. Included on his agenda, the Japanese prince enjoyed a private dinner with the Spanish Royal Family along with a tour of the Prado Museum, an exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, a visit to Castilla la Mancha and an audience with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.The Press Conference by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of His Visit to Spain (2008) can be read here.

Photos: Casa de Su Majestad el Rey/Borja, REUTERS

The Prince of Orange Attends 10th Meeting of UNSGAB in Japan

The Prince of Orange, along with Honorary President Crown Prince Naruhito, attended the tenth meeting of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Japan today. As chairman of the UNSGAB, the Dutch prince presented the opening remarks and said: “We have taken big strides in raising public awareness about sanitation. Now we must find ways to ensure that this increases access to safe sanitation at grassroots level. For we have only a few years to halve the number of people without access to safe sanitation, something we, the people of the United Nations, have committed ourselves to achieving.”

Tomorrow afternoon, Prince Willem-Alexander will meet with African leaders and ministers to prepare for the upcoming TICAD IV (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), the G-8 and the African Union Summit in an effort to “help prioritize the critical issues for water and sanitation.”

The entire opening remarks by the Prince of Orange at the tenth meeting of the United Nations Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Tokyo, Japan can be read here.

Crown Prince Naruhito's entire address at the opening cermony of the tenth Meeting of the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation in Tokyo, Japan can be read here.

Photo: Maya Trotz

Princess Aiko Starts Classes at Gakushuin Primary School

In spite of the rainy day, Princess Aiko of Japan’s face was wreathed in a cheerful smile as she walked with her parents Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to begin classes at Gakushuin Primary School today. The six-year old little princess completed kindergarten last month.

The Royalist article, Princess Aiko Swaps The Palace For The Schoolroom, can be read here.

Photo: Associated Press/Yoshikazu Tsuno

Japan’s Princess Aiko Completes First Educational Milestone

Princess Aiko of Japan completed her first educational milestone this month when she graduated from Gakushuin Kindergarten. In front of her delighted parents, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, six-year old Aiko received her diploma at her kindergarten graduation ceremony today. She will begin classes at Gakushuin Primary School in April.

Photo: Associated Press/Itsuo Inouye

Crown Prince of Japan Turns Forty-Eight

The Imperial Household Agency has released some new photos and a video clip to mark the forty-eighth birthday of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan. The prince was born on February 23, 1960. His Investiture as Crown Prince was held on his birthday in 1991. The prince is a 1982 graduate of Gakushuin University. In September 1991, the University of Oxford bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He married Masako Owada on June 9, 1993. His daughter, Princess Aiko, was born on December 1, 2001.Amongst his many official duties, the prince has held the post of Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society since 1994. Last November, he was named the President of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.
Naruhito is an avid tennis player and an accomplished violist. Some of his favourite diversions include mountaineering, jogging and skiing.

A video clip from the Imperial Household Agency website of Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko can be seen here.

The Press Conference by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of His Birthday can be read here.

Photos: The Imperial Household Agency

Naruhito and Willem-Alexander Give Opening Remarks at Water Summit

At the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit which was held in Beppu, Japan, the Prince of Orange and Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan spoke at the opening on December 3rd. For two days, forty-nine countries discussed specifically the water problems of the Asia-Pacific region.

In his speech, Prince Willem-Alexander recognized Crown Prince Naruhito and said: “It is a particular pleasure to be here with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan, who has recently agreed to be the Honorary President of the UN Secretary- General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. In doing so, His Imperial Highness proves Japan’s invaluable contribution to the Board’s work, which was first led by my predecessor, the late former Prime Minister Hashimoto…I whole heartily welcome and endorse the aim of this Summit to contribute to sustainable water management in order to achieve the MDG targets in Asia and the Pacific.”

Likewise, Crown Prince Naruhito acknowledged Prince Willem-Alexander and the tremendous responsibility he was undertaking as Honorary President and replied: “I have accepted the request of the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon to serve on his Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation as its Honorary President. I am aware of the responsibility that comes with this honor. The Board, under the leadership of its late chairman Mr. Ryutaro Hashimoto, launched the Hashimoto Action Plan and is forging ahead towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. I will do my best to learn more about the global issues of water and sanitation, and to work with His Royal Highness Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the Board’s chairman, and its other members to contribute to its activities in my capacity as Honorary President.”

The entire opening speech given by the Prince of Orange at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit can be read here.

The entire opening speech given by Crown Prince Naruhito at the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit can be read here.

Honorary President Appointment for Naruhito of Japan

The United Nations Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation announced the honorary president appointment in a press release yesterday. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan was appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The prince will serve his term until 2010.

The Prince of Orange is the chairman of the advisory board and he has proven to be a capable and assiduous member striving to bring to the forefront the global plight for those lacking adequate sanitation and drinking water capabilities. For Prince Willem-Alexander, having another crown prince on board will strengthen the influence of the advisory committee.

Masako Graces Tokushima Prefecture for Three Days

Crown Princess Masako of Japan is visiting the Tokushima Prefecture with Crown Prince Naruhito at the end of the month for three days. She has already made a short trip to the Nagano Prefecture in June. She has slowly been recovering from an 'adjustment disorder' that has kept her from her royal duties since July 2004. In spite of her difficulties, the princess has been seen taking Princess Aiko to kindergarten and participating in various activities revolving around her daughter.

First Birthday for Prince Hisahito

Yesterday, Prince Hisahito of Japan celebrated his first birthday. The Imperial Household released photos of Hisahito interacting with his family, Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako. The adorable toddler displayed a winsome smile while posing for the cameras.

Since his birth, the Japanese Diet has decided not to change the law of agnatic succession which does not allow Princess Aiko to succeed her father. Little Hisahito is the next heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his uncle, Crown Prince Naruhito.

Photos: The Imperial Household Agency

Naruhito's First Visit to Mongolia

For the last eight days, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan has been touring Mongolia. The prince was officially invited by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Mongolia.

Naruhito highlighted his tour by giving a performance on the viola of Camille Saint-Saëns The Swan at a cultural concert in Ulaanbaatar.

While in Kharkhorin, the prince took the opportunity to visit the parents of sumo wrestler grand champion Asashoryu. Naruhito and his daughter, Princess Aiko are fans of sumo wrestling and as part of his toast during a banquet in Ulaanbaatar, Prince Naruhito acknowledged the achievements of two Mongolian sumo wrestlers, Asahoryu and Hakuho.

The only regret for the prince was the absence of his wife, Crown Princess Masako, who is slowly recovering from an ‘adjustment disorder’ that limits her abilities to complete long engagements such as a visit to Mongolia. During the press conference before his tour, Naruhito said, “Princess Masako greatly appreciates the invitation by the Government of Mongolia. She and I both deeply regret that she cannot honor the invitation. This visit involves a long stay and quite a few events that must be attended successively, which the doctors consider may be difficult for her to accomplish. Based on all of this, we have decided that I will visit Mongolia alone.”