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Japan Forward
a day ago
- Politics
- Japan Forward
An Imperial Week in Photos: The Emperor Visits Okinawa
このページを 日本語 で読む On June 4, Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, along with their daughter Princess Aiko, visited Okinawa Prefecture. More than 200,000 people lost their lives there during World War II. It was Princess Aiko's first visit to Okinawa. Many people lined the roads, waving Japanese flags to welcome them. The Imperial family responded with waves and bows. The family offered flowers at the National Okinawa War Dead Peace Mausoleum on Mabuni Hill, where the Battle of Okinawa ended. They also toured the Cornerstone of Peace, which bears the names of the war dead, and the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. The Imperial Family pays their respects at the Cornerstone of Peace in Peace Memorial Park, Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture. Afternoon of June 4. Their Majesties spoke with war survivors, bereaved families, and their representatives. They asked about loved ones lost in the war and listened intently to their harrowing stories. When one woman shared how she had witnessed three close relatives killed before her eyes, the Emperor gently responded, "It must have been truly painful." Princess Aiko added, "It's beyond what I can imagine," as she listened with deep empathy. The Emperor said, "Thank you for continuing to hope for and share the message of peace." Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their daughter Princess Aiko speak with war survivors and representatives during their visit to the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. Afternoon of June 4, Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture. That evening, the Imperial Family met with former participants of the "Mamekisha" (junior reporter) program, which sends Okinawan children to Tokyo to take part in journalistic activities. Some had met the Imperial Family years earlier, when Emperor Naruhito was still crown prince, and had even played volleyball with them. The reunion was warm and joyful. Outside their hotel, local volunteers welcomed the family with lanterns and Japanese flags. In return, the three waved lanterns from their room. The Imperial Family meets with former participants of Okinawa's "Mamekisha" (junior reporter) program. Afternoon of June 4, The Naha Terrace, Naha City. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency) On June 5, the Imperial family visited the Kozakura Monument in Naha City for the first time. The monument honors the victims of the Tsushima Maru, a school evacuation ship sunk by American forces during the war. Nearly 1,500 people were killed in the attack. While speaking with bereaved families, Princess Aiko reflected on the importance of life. Empress Masako noted, "It was a valuable experience for Aiko as well." Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko offer flowers at the Kozakura Monument, which honors those who perished aboard the Tsushima Maru. June 5, Naha City. Later that day, the family visited Shuri Castle, also in Naha. They observed the reconstruction of the main hall while dressed in traditional Okinawan summer wear, kariyushi . That evening, they returned to Tokyo, completing their visit. On May 30, Emperor Naruhito met with President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos at the Imperial Palace. It was announced that Princess Aiko is scheduled to make an official visit to Laos in November. The Emperor shared, "She is very much looking forward to it." That same day, Prince Fumihito met with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled at his residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo. On June 3, Princess Kiko attended a ceremony in Tokyo to present certificates of appreciation to donors of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, which she leads as president. On June 1, Emperor Naruhito attended the Viola Space 2025 concert at Nippon Steel Kioi Hall in Chiyoda Ward. The following day, he took part in the 150th anniversary ceremony of Japan's meteorological services, held at a Tokyo hotel. Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech at the 150th Anniversary Ceremony of Japan's meteorological services. Afternoon of June 2, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. On June 4, Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, departed from Narita Airport on a commercial flight for an official visit to Brazil. The trip marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil. She arrived in São Paulo on the morning of June 5, local time. Princess Kako, the second daughter of Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, departs for Brazil. Afternoon of June 4, Narita Airport. Princess Hanako, the Emperor's aunt by marriage, visited the Tokyo Equestrian Park in Setagaya Ward on June 1 to attend the All Japan Equestrian Championships. Princess Akiko visited the National Confectionery Exposition in Hokkaido on May 30. On June 1, she attended the League One rugby final at the National Stadium in Shinjuku Ward. Princess Hisako visited Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai on May 30 and attended Luxembourg's National Day ceremony. The next day, May 31, she joined a commemorative event in Tokyo for the Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Inter-Middle School English Oratorical Contest. Author: Masashi Nakamura and Tomomi Yoshizawa, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Japanese imperial family pays respects to victims of WWII ship sunk by U.S. sub
June 5 (UPI) -- Japan's royal family wrapped up a two day visit to Okinawa Thursday, where they paid respects to the victims of a World War II-era Japanese evacuation ship that was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine. Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko prayed for the victims who were lost aboard the ship, according to the Japanese national daily news outlet the Mainichi. They called for peace during their visit. The imperial family presented flowers and bowed deeply at a memorial site in Nama for the Tsushima battleship, on which at least 1,500 people, including hundreds of schoolchildren, were killed in the torpedo attack. The family also visited a nearby memorial museum where they spoke to survivors and bereaved family members, and also witnessed several personal items that belonged to the schoolchildren who died. One man, 85-year-old Masakatsu Takara, recounted the pain of losing nine of his family members, including his parents and siblings. The Tsushima Maru was hit with a torpedo near southwestern Japan's Tokara Islands while traveling from Okinawa to Nagasaki during an August, 1944 government ordered evacuation.
UPI
5 days ago
- General
- UPI
Japanese imperial family pays respects to victims of WWII ship sunk by U.S. sub
June 5 (UPI) -- Japan's royal family wrapped up a two day visit to Okinawa Thursday, where they paid respects to the victims of a World War II-era Japanese evacuation ship that was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine. Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko prayed for the victims who were lost aboard the ship, according to the Japanese national daily news outlet the Mainichi. They called for peace during their visit. The imperial family presented flowers and bowed deeply at a memorial site in Nama for the Tsushima battleship, on which at least 1,500 people, including hundreds of schoolchildren, were killed in the torpedo attack. The family also visited a nearby memorial museum where they spoke to survivors and bereaved family members, and also witnessed several personal items that belonged to the schoolchildren who died. One man, 85-year-old Masakatsu Takara, recounted the pain of losing nine of his family members, including his parents and siblings. The Tsushima Maru was hit with a torpedo near southwestern Japan's Tokara Islands while traveling from Okinawa to Nagasaki during an August, 1944 government ordered evacuation. Japanese royal family visit Okinawa
5 days ago
- General
Imperial Family Visits Tsushima Maru Monument
Naha, Okinawa Pref., June 5 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, on Thursday visited a monument in Okinawa Prefecture for victims of the 1944 sinking of the Tsushima Maru evacuation ship. The family laid bouquets of white flowers at the monument in Naha, the capital of the southernmost prefecture, and bowed deeply. In August 1944, the Tsushima Maru, carrying some 1,800 people, including schoolchildren and other evacuees from Okinawa, was sunk in a U.S. torpedo attack. According to the operator of the museum, at least 1,484 people perished. The Emperor and his family then paid their first visit to the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum. Guided by Tsugiko Taira, 62, who heads the museum, the Imperial couple and the princess walked around looking at pictures and personal belongings of children who died. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Japan Times
5 days ago
- General
- Japan Times
Imperial family mourns WWII victims in two-day visit to Okinawa
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, on Thursday wrapped up their two-day visit to Okinawa Prefecture to mourn those killed in the Battle of Okinawa 80 years ago during the closing months of World War II. It was Princess Aiko's first visit to Okinawa Prefecture, which reflected the imperial couple's wish that memories of the war be passed onto the next generation, according to a close aide. On Thursday morning, the family visited a monument in Naha for the victims of the 1944 sinking of the Tsushima Maru evacuation ship, and laid bouquets of white flowers as they bowed deeply. They later visited the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum. In August 1944, the Tsushima Maru, carrying about 1,800 people, including schoolchildren and other evacuees from Okinawa, was sunk in a U.S. torpedo attack. According to the operator of the museum, at least 1,484 people were killed in the incident. After arriving at Naha Airport on Wednesday, the imperial family traveled to the city of Itoman, a site of fierce ground battles, and laid flowers at the National War Dead Peace Mausoleum. The three bowed deeply in front of an ossuary holding remains. At Itoman, the family also visited the Cornerstone of Peace, on which the names of some 240,000 war victims are engraved. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, visit a monument for the victims of the 1944 sinking of the Tsushima Maru evacuation ship in Naha on Thursday. | Jiji They then viewed a permanent exhibition at the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum, looking closely at photographs and testimonies from the war. The family also spoke with 10 individuals, including survivors and those who lost family members. The imperial couple offered words of comfort to them and the princess said she felt the importance of peace and of hearing about experiences directly from people in Okinawa. Among the 10 was Rieko Tamaki, 91, from Naha, who lost eight of her 10 family members, including her father, brothers and grandparents, during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Tamaki told the imperial family that she had escaped alone through shellfire and that her father was a military doctor. The imperial family members expressed their sympathy as they listened to the story. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, visit the Cornerstone of Peace, on which the names of some 240,000 war victims are engraved, in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on Wednesday. | pool / via Jiji After the session, Tamaki told reporters, "I have complicated feelings about the emperor's family, but I felt their willingness to learn and understand." In Okinawa, more than 200,000 people were killed in fierce ground battles in the final stages of World War II. It was Emperor Naruhito's seventh visit to Okinawa and his third with Empress Masako. Their last visit took place in October 2022. On Thursday afternoon, the family inspected restoration efforts for the main hall of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed by a fire in 2019, before returning to Tokyo on a special aircraft Thursday night.
