News Report About the Upcoming Trip
It was announced by the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan will visit Spain beginning on June 10-16, 2013. Unfortunately, Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako of Japan will not accompany her husband during the upcoming official visit to “…mark the 400th anniversary of bilateral relations between Japan and Spain.”
In other news, the IHA also announced that Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan will scale back on several of their “…public duties once Their Majesties turn 80 years old [at the end of the year].” The engagements, which includes visiting homes for the elderly, will be taken over by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako as well as by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko.
And, finally, this morning at the Imperial Palace in Japan, His Imperial Majesty participated in the “…ceremonial transplanting of rice seedlings in a paddy; an annual tradition which was started by his father, Emperor Showa, to promote production of rice, Japan’s staple food…” according to NHK News.