Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Tochigi Prefecture on the 1st and attended the opening ceremony of the National Athletic Meet, which was held for the first time in three years.
After leaving the Imperial Palace by car, Their Majesties arrived in Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture after noon on the 1st and were welcomed by the governor.
And we entered the stadium in Utsunomiya City where the opening ceremony of the national polity will be held.
It will be the first time in three years that the national polity will be held due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
At the opening ceremony, His Majesty the Emperor said, "I hope that the athletes will fully demonstrate the results of their daily practice, and that they will once again realize the wonders of sports while fostering mutual friendship and cherishing once-in-a-lifetime chances with the local people of Tochigi Prefecture. Please make wonderful memories with us.”
Next, the torch, which is the Olympic torch, was relayed in the venue and lighted on the torch stand, and two athletes representing the Tochigi prefecture athletes took the oath.
After the ceremony, more than 1,300 local students introduced the charm of nature and culture of Tochigi Prefecture with a performance that included music and dance, and Their Majesties were enthusiastically applauded.
Their Majesties visited the UK last month to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth, but it was the first time in two years and eight months that they had visited a rural area in the country for the first time since the spread of the infection.
On the 22nd of this month, it has been decided that he will visit Okinawa Prefecture for two days, and his activities in various places will be in full swing.