Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko attend overseas Japanese descendants convention in Tokyo
In short
Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended the welcome exchange meeting of the 66th Overseas Japanese Descendants Convention at the Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on Oct. 7. Japanese descendants from 17 countries, including Paraguay, Brazil, Peru and Argentina, took part. According to attendees, the prince asked students about their research and encouraged them to keep working hard.
Read the full story 1 min read
Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended the welcome exchange meeting of the 66th Overseas Japanese Descendants Convention at the Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo, on Oct. 7. TBS NEWS DIG reported that the couple arrived shortly after 6 p.m. and exchanged greetings with officials of the Overseas Japanese Descendants Association. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported that the couple chatted with participants over drinks. [ 3 , 4 ]
Participants came from 17 countries, including Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, the United States and Canada, according to the documents. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun said about 200 people took part, while Yomiuri Shimbun said about 195. Tokyo Shimbun reported that Japanese-descendant students living in Japan also joined the meeting. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
According to attendees cited by Yomiuri Shimbun, Prince Akishino asked the students about their research and encouraged them, saying “これからも頑張ってください.” Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and TBS NEWS DIG reported that the couple met people connected to Paraguay, which they officially visited in August, and other participants. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
The convention runs Oct. 7-9 and includes panel discussions by younger Japanese descendants, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. The paper said the gathering was first held in 1957 and that past editions were attended by the then-Emperor and Empress and by the Emperor and Empress. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The convention brings together Japanese descendants from 17 countries and has been attended by members of Japan's imperial family since it began in 1957, so the couple's presence underscores the palace's continuing ties with overseas Japanese communities. The couple's August visit to Paraguay was followed by a reunion with people connected to that trip. Beyond diaspora communities and followers of the imperial family, the event has limited direct consequences.
Key facts
- Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended the welcome exchange meeting of the 66th Overseas Japanese Descendants Convention on Oct. 7. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The meeting was held at the Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and the couple arrived shortly after 6 p.m., according to TBS NEWS DIG. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Participants came from 17 countries, including Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, the United States and Canada. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun put the number of participants at about 200; Yomiuri Shimbun said about 195. [ 3 , 5 ]
- According to attendees cited by Yomiuri Shimbun, Prince Akishino asked Japanese-descendant students about their research and told them to keep working hard. [ 5 ]
- The convention runs Oct. 7-9 and includes panel discussions by younger Japanese descendants. [ 3 ]
- The convention was first held in 1957, and past editions were attended by the then-Emperor and Empress and by the Emperor and Empress, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko attended the 66th Overseas Japanese Descendants Convention's welcome exchange meeting. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The event took place in Chiyoda, Tokyo. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Japanese descendants from 17 countries took part. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Participants included people connected to Paraguay, which the couple officially visited in August. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The number of participants: Nishi-Nippon Shimbun said about 200, while Yomiuri Shimbun said about 195. The two outlets give different figures for the same event, and no document reconciles them.
- The exact venue description: Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and TBS NEWS DIG said the Kaiun Club, while Yomiuri Shimbun said a hall in Chiyoda. The documents describe the venue differently, though they agree on the ward.
- What the couple said during the exchange beyond the reported remarks to students. Only Yomiuri Shimbun, citing attendees, gives any of the couple's words; other documents do not describe the conversation.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko arrive at the Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and greet officials of the Overseas Japanese Descendants Association. [ 4 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun reports the couple's exchange with Japanese descendants from Paraguay and Brazil. [ 1 ]
- Yomiuri Shimbun reports attendees' account that the prince asked students about their research and encouraged them. [ 5 ]