On November 17, 2013, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan participated in the opening ceremony of the 37th Japan Tree Growing Contest in the Saitama Prefecture.

Meanwhile, His Imperial Highness Prince Mikasa was released from the hospital.  Last Tuesday, the 97 year-old prince “…partially lost consciousness at his home…” and was immediately rushed to a Tokyo hospital. After several tests doctors noted that there “…were no abnormalities and his is doing fine…” according to various sources.