Category: Imperial Family

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 15, 2025 Number of comments0
Education Imperial Family Japan Nursing Care

Princess Aiko Attends Ceremony for Chiba University School of Nursing

Japanese Princess Aiko on Sunday attended a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of Chiba University’s School of Nursing. 
   “I hope that you will continue to thrive while supporting people, and that you will dedicate your efforts to the further advancement of nursing and nursing science,” the princess, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, said in her speech at the ceremony held at the university in the eastern Japan city of Chiba.  Chiba University is the country’s only national university with a nursing department. Some 400 people, including students and university staff, attended the ceremony.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Imperial Family Japan Para Sports Podcast Sports

Record 31 Medals for Japan at Tokyo Deaflympics; Crown Princess Kiko and Hisahito Attend Event [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s medal count at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics rose to a record 31 on Sunday, surpassing the country’s previous best from 2022, after athletes secured new medals in karate, swimming and athletics. Crown Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito visited Izu Oshima to watch the men’s orienteering relay, with the prince encouraging athletes in sign language, and later toured a local farm products shop.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 24, 2025 1
Deaf Deaflympics Hearing Impaired Imperial Family Japan

Crown Princess Kiko, Prince Hisahito Watch Deaflympic Event

Japanese Crown Princess Kiko and her son, Prince Hisahito, watched an orienteering event of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics on the Pacific island of Izu Oshima, part of the Japanese capital, on Sunday. Orienteering is a team sport in which participants visit control points on unfamiliar terrain in the right order as quickly as possible using a map and compass.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Imperial Family Intellectual disabilities Japan

Princess Kako attends ceremony marking 70th anniversary of association for families of people with intellectual disabilities

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, attended a ceremony in Tokyo’s Ota Ward on Saturday marking the 70th anniversary of the National Federation of Associations for the Welfare of the Mentally Disabled, a group made up of families and supporters of people with intellectual disabilities. Around 2,000 people took part in the event, where Princess Kako expressed her “heartfelt respect” for the attendees and said she hopes understanding of intellectual disabilities will continue to deepen so that “everyone can live with peace of mind.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Imperial Family Japan Sports

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Attend Disabled Sports Festival

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko attended the opening ceremony of this year’s national sports festival for people with disabilities, held in the city of Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan. In an address, the Crown Prince encouraged athletes who gathered from all over Japan, volunteers and local residents to deepen exchanges, create a lot of memories and develop good relations.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt October 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Coronavirus COVID-19 Imperial Family Japan

Japan’s Princess Aiko, only child of emperor, tests positive for COVID-19

Princess Aiko, the only child of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, has tested positive for COVID-19, the Imperial Household Agency said Thursday. The 23-year-old princess developed a fever of over 38 C on Tuesday and took an antigen test the following day that confirmed the infection, according to the agency.