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Japan Forward
05-08-2025
- General
- Japan Forward
An Imperial Week in Photos: Emperor Naruhito Welcomes a President, Empress Masako Honors Nurses
このページを 日本語 で読む On July 29, Emperor Naruhito met with President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. President Simina was visiting Japan to attend his country's National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. At the Expo, participating countries are introduced on a rotating daily schedule. Emperor Naruhito meets with President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia at the Imperial Palace on the morning of July 29. Micronesia was the site of intense fighting between Japanese and American forces during World War II. His Majesty remarked, "It is deeply saddening that so many people lost their lives." He also expressed his gratitude for the country's cooperation in the recovery of the remains of the war dead and voiced his hope for continued friendly exchanges between the youth of both nations. On July 30, the Annual Rites of Emperor Meiji were held at the Koreiden (Imperial Ancestor Sanctuary) of the Imperial Palace to mark the anniversary of Emperor Meiji's (Mutsuhito) death. Emperor Naruhito, Crown Prince Fumihito, and Crown Princess Kiko paid their respects. Other members of the Imperial Family, including Princess Aiko, daughter of the Emperor and Empress, were also in attendance. That same day, Princess Akiko of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial Family attended the commemorative ceremony at Fushimi Momoyama Mausoleum in Kyoto, where Emperor Meiji is buried. On July 28, Empress Masako took part in the Goyosan Osame no Gi — the final ritual of the sericulture (silk farming) season — held at the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery within the Imperial Palace grounds. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Empress offered bundles of raw silk to the deities. She also expressed her appreciation to the lead sericulturists and staff for their work. On July 31, Empress Masako attended the Florence Nightingale Medal award ceremony hosted by the Japanese Red Cross Society at the Tokyo Prince Hotel. As the organization's Honorary President, she awarded medals to three recipients and later spoke with them individually. Empress Masako, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Princess Nobuko, and Princess Hisako of Takamado attend the Florence Nightingale Medal award ceremony on the afternoon of July 31 in Minato Ward, Tokyo. To one recipient — a nurse who had assisted in the rescue efforts following the 1985 crash of a Japan Airlines jumbo jet that claimed 520 lives — the Empress said, "You worked so hard," in recognition of her service. Also present at the ceremony were Princess Kiko (Honorary Vice President), Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Princess Nobuko of Tomohito, and Princess Hisako of Takamado. Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visited Kagawa Prefecture on July 26 and 27 to attend the National Cultural Festival for High Schools, also known as the "Inter-High of Cultural Clubs." At the opening ceremony in Takamatsu on the 26th, the Crown Prince encouraged students by saying, "I hope you will showcase the creativity you've cultivated and let your diverse talents bloom like the colorful flowers here in Kagawa." Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko watch the parade of the 49th National Cultural Festival for High Schools— afternoon of July 26, in Takamatsu City. The following day, the couple visited exhibitions in the arts and crafts category and engaged with high school students participating in the event. Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visit the Art and Craft Division of the national high school cultural festival — morning of July 27, in Takamatsu City. On July 30, Crown Prince Fumihito hosted 35 elementary and junior high school students from Okinawa at the Akasaka Higashi Residence within the Akasaka Estate. The students are part of a student reporters program called "Mame Kisha." The Crown Prince and his family spoke warmly with them about Okinawan culture and nature, as well as their reasons for wanting to become reporters. Prince Fumihito and his son, Prince Hisahito, speak with elementary and junior high school students from Okinawa taking part in the "Mame Kisha" program — morning of July 30. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency) Princess Kiko and her younger daughter, Princess Kako, speak with elementary and junior high school students from Okinawa participating in the student reporter program. (©Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency) On July 25, Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, attended the opening ceremony of the 59th All Japan High School Equestrian Championships in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture. She applauded as the student athletes marched in the ceremony. Princess Kako attends the opening ceremony of the All-Japan High School Equestrian Championships — morning of July 25, at the Equestrian Sports Center in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Later that day, she visited the Takane-no-Mori Kodomoen (preschool) in the same city and interacted with the children. Princess Kako visits Takane no Mori Kodomoen and spends time with the children — afternoon of July 25, in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture. On July 29, Princess Yoko of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial Family attended the elementary school division of the All Japan Kendo Dojo Federation's tournament, held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. The following day, she attended the middle school division of the same tournament. Also on July 25, Princess Hisako of Takamado attended a board meeting of the Support Association of the International Education Center, held in Tokyo. She serves as the association's Honorary President. Author: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
South China Morning Post
31-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
From Sichuan quake to Gaza war: Hong Kong nurse wins top medal for life-saving work
In a makeshift hospital ward in Gaza, reserved for the most severely wounded and dying patients, Hong Kong nurse Walter Leung Wai-yin, 66, walked up to a woman whose face was partially torn in an explosion. The woman was classified as a 'blue case', which indicates catastrophic injuries that are considered beyond saving. In such cases, medical professionals shift to end-of-life care, focusing on reducing pain with the heaviest dosage of morphine. 'Her skull was gone and her brain was visible. Blood was all over her hair and face. She was still screaming and breathing,' he said. 'So I brought my British nurse partner and wiped the blood off her body. You could still smell the gunpowder… We also bandaged her head so that she would look better when her family came to see her.' Walter Leung cares for a patient in Pakistan in 2020. Photo: Walter Leung Leung's 15 years of remarkable volunteer work with the Red Cross in disastrous situations have earned him a Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international distinction for nurses.
