Prince Akishino, who is the first in line to the throne, celebrated his 57th birthday on the 30th.

Prior to his birthday, Prince Akishino attended a press conference at his residence in Akasaka.



Regarding the reports on the imperial family, he said, ``I think there is a wide variety of information, including accurate information and incorrect information.'' I think it's also important," he said.



On the other hand, regarding the fact that I mentioned at the press conference last year that it was necessary to create a certain standard when arguing against bashing articles, I used a certain article as a sample to check how much of it was written. It was revealed that I tried



And "I understand that you have to spend a lot of effort.For that reason, I think it's quite difficult to create a standard and give an opinion on it. I think that this is an issue that we will continue to consider."



Regarding the retired emperor and his wife, who moved from their temporary residence to the Akasaka Imperial Palace in April this year, he said that he often sees them when walking and talks while walking, "It's a place where I lived for a long time, so it's very nostalgic. After all, he is nearly 90 years old, so I would like him to spend his time while being taken care of."



Regarding her second daughter Kako, she said that she has received requests from various places and is doing public activities. I want you to work on it," he said.



On the other hand, when asked about Princess Kako's marriage, she said, "We are not discussing anything in particular right now." As far as I am concerned, I have always taken the position of respecting the will of the princess as much as possible. , I don't think I have anything to say about that."



Regarding his eldest son, Hisahito, who entered high school this spring, he said, "I am busy but living a fulfilling life," and said that there are various cultures in various parts of Japan. , I think that it will be very important in the future to come into direct contact with such things."



Regarding her eldest daughter, Mako Komuro, "She seems to want to refrain from talking about herself about her recent situation, so I will refrain from talking about it here. I will do it."

A milestone year for Prince Akishino

This year has been a milestone year for Prince Akishino, including the completion of events related to the "Rite of the Crown Prince," which had been postponed due to the effects of the new coronavirus.



The Rikkoshi no Rei ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace in November 2012 to inform the world that Prince Akishino had become the first heir to the throne. As a result, a series of related events have been postponed.



The event was resumed in April this year, and I visited Ise Jingu with Princess Kiko and reported that the 'Rite of the Crown Prince' was over.



It was the first time in two years and three months that the couple had visited the countryside.



In addition, a series of related events were completed with visits to the tombs of Emperor Jimmu and Emperor Showa.



Since then, he has continued to visit rural areas for customary events, including Tochigi, Hiroshima, Tokushima, and Oita.



In addition, when His Majesty the Emperor visited England to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September, he acted as a temporary proxy for state affairs for the first time.



In addition, his eldest son, Hisahito, entered high school, and Kei Komuro, the husband of his eldest daughter, Mako, passed the bar exam in New York State in the United States. There was also an event such as the completion of a large-scale renovation work.

Released a video of the Akishinomiya family taking a walk

On the occasion of Prince Akishino's birthday, the Imperial Household Agency has released a video of Prince Akishino walking around the Akasaka Imperial Grounds with Princess Kiko, her second daughter Kako, and her eldest son Hisahito on the 6th of this month.



The family walked side by side while looking up at the colorful trees such as zelkova and cherry blossoms, and there was also a scene where Princess Noriko found a fallen leaf with a beautiful color and picked it up.



Also, at the place where the garden used to be, Prince Akishino explained the origin of the land to his family while looking at the remains of the former pond.

Full text of the press conference by Prince Akishino

This is the full text of the press conference of Prince Akishino.



(Questions from the Imperial Household Press Association representative)


(Question 1)


At a press conference last year, Your Imperial Highness mentioned the need to "establish standards" when arguing against reports that could be interpreted as bashing or slander against the Imperial Family.



On the other hand, the Imperial Household Agency is considering securing new personnel and using SNS, which has been used by overseas royal families, to strengthen information dissemination from next fiscal year.



Please let us know if there is anything you are discussing with the Imperial Household Agency regarding your thoughts on the transmission of information by the Imperial Household and how to respond to the bashing that continues to this day.



(Prince Akishino)


I think that the world is now overflowing with all sorts of information.



Various matters about the imperial family are included in that, and I think that there is an extremely diverse range of information, including accurate information and inaccurate information.



Under such circumstances, it is necessary to put out accurate information in a timely manner in terms of the imperial family's dissemination of information. I think it is important to know where the correct information is.



There were reports that the Imperial Household Agency would use SNS to strengthen public relations, but I think that many overseas royal families are now using a combination of websites and SNS.



I don't know if this kind of analogy is appropriate, but in a sense, the website has all the necessary information, and the SNS provides short but very important information. there is



And now, when it comes to researching to find out about various things, most people probably use smartphones, smartphones to investigate.



If you do so, you will reach the SNS, find some information there, and those who want to know more will look at the website, which is the main body.



You know, there's a planet, there's a lot of information on the planet, and there's a short but very important piece of information on the satellites around it.



I think it's that kind of relationship.



I am not aware of the details, but I believe that the Imperial Household Agency is probably considering such a scheme.



Also, regarding the bashing article, which was mentioned one more time, I thought that if I were to make any objections to this on this occasion last year, wouldn't it be necessary to create a standard for that? I had a story.



After that, I also talked with officials from the Imperial Household Agency.



In my opinion, some said it would be necessary to refute if some criteria were met, while others said it would be better not to do so at all.



I actually used an article as a sample and tried to see how much of the article was different from the truth.



This is because there are many cases in which only the parties involved can know whether the facts are true or misunderstood.



Then I realized that I had to put a lot of effort into it.



For that reason, I think it is quite difficult to create a standard and give an opinion on it, and I think that this is an issue that we will continue to consider.



Did this answer your question?



(Reporter) Thank you.

(Question 2)


This year, there were various health-related events for members of the imperial family, such as the Emperor's prostate examination, the Emperor's right heart failure, and the Empress Emerita's deep vein thrombosis.



Please tell us how you feel about His Majesty's physical condition, as well as how the Emperor and Empress have been at the Akasaka Imperial Palace and their current physical condition.



Please let us know if there is anything that your Highness is concerned about regarding his current physical condition or health.



(Prince Akishino)


Regarding the prostate gland of His Majesty the Emperor, I think that the first test value was the PSA, but since it was a little higher, he then had an MRI test.



So, according to the announcement at that time, although there was hypertrophy, there were no findings of concern.



And I think it was announced that the doctor will be able to undergo a biopsy in the future, probably because he wants to make sure, or to confirm various things.



I myself accept what has been announced so far.

Next is Akasaka, where Their Majesties



the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita are

.

(Prince Akishino)

In April of this year, he moved from Takanawa to the current Sento Imperial Palace in Akasaka.

Sento Imperial Palace in Akasaka is where I lived for many years.

Since it is on the same site as the place where we are now, you may occasionally see it when you are taking a walk.













At times like this, it's not a long time, but it's a very short time, but we often talk while walking.



After all, it is a place where he lived for a long time, so he looks very nostalgic.



Regarding your physical condition, nothing other than what has been announced has been announced, but after all, you are close to 90 years old, so I would like you to spend your time being taken care of.



Will I be next?



(Reporter)


Please tell us if there is anything that you are concerned about regarding your current physical condition and health.



(Prince Akishino)


My current physical condition is, well, so-so.



I'm not particularly concerned about my health, but I try to walk as much as possible.



Regarding your question about health, I think you can say that in general, but what can I say, a physical disorder can occur at any time.



To be afflicted with an illness.



In such a case, I think that it is necessary to have a system that allows you to go to the hospital promptly and have an examination at the hospital without serious problems, or have a specialist in that field examine you. I think

(Q3)


I would like to ask about your children.



Princess Kako has many official duties, but as a member of the royal family, what do you expect from her, what advice do you have, and if there is anything you are discussing about marriage?



It is also being discussed that the Imperial Princess will have the option of remaining in the Imperial Family after marriage, but how do you think Princess Kako's wishes will be respected?



Please also introduce Prince Hisahito's high school life, his education policy as the heir to the throne, and the recent situation of Mako Komuro, who has been married for one year.



(Prince Akishino)


First, let's talk about her first daughter.



For me, since you have taken the trouble to call out to me, I would like you to seriously work on each of them.



Any advice then?



(Reporter) Yes.



(Prince Akishino)


If someone asks me about this, I will give my opinion.



I think that's about it.



As for marriage, we are not discussing anything in particular right now.



Regarding the issue of a female member of the Imperial Family remaining in the Imperial Family after marriage and respecting her daughter's will, I have always taken the position of respecting her daughter's will as much as possible.



On the other hand, I believe that the fact that the Imperial Princess remains in the Imperial Household after marriage is a matter of the system, and I have nothing to say about it.



Next is the eldest son's school life?



From this April, I became a high school student, and I have probably spent 12 years until now, from kindergarten to junior high school. , The person himself is class and club activities, it seems that he is spending a busy but fulfilling day.



As for the next point, which I think I have talked about before, and which includes a little bit of my own experience, Japan really has a variety of cultures in different parts of the country.



I think that it will be very important in the future to actually visit the place while you are young and touch such things directly there.



That's why I sometimes recommend this to him.



At the same time, I also talk about various things through books and other things, especially about the history of Japan, because I want people to know about it.



Next, regarding my eldest daughter, it seems that she wants to refrain from talking about herself, such as her recent situation, so I will refrain from talking about it here. .

(Question 4)


Your Highness has engaged in various activities over the past year while taking measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.



Please tell us about your impressions of visiting the countryside after a long time and meeting the people, and your thoughts on the future activities of the Imperial Household.



In September, you acted on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor for the first time in matters of state. Please also tell us how you will support His Majesty as the Crown Prince going forward.



(Prince Akishino)


I've been here for more than two years, keeping an eye on the epidemic situation of this infectious disease.



This will make me very happy.



Until now, there have been quite a few opportunities to connect and talk with various places online, but after all, it's a little different from actually going to the place and talking to people.



In particular, when talking to multiple people at the same time, this may be because I myself am not used to that kind of thing, but sometimes there is a slight lag when interacting with each other. When I talk, I strongly feel that it is very easy to talk about (without) that area.



At the same time, for example, when you look at an actual object, and have someone explain it to you while you are showing it, seeing it through the screen and then actually holding it in your hand is completely different in terms of sensibility. That's right.



In that respect, face-to-face may be a strange way of saying it, but I feel the importance of actually meeting.



I also think there is something else called coincidence.



There were actually a few, but for example, this summer, the General High School Cultural Festival was held in Tokyo. When I was there, there was a person who seemed to be a parent and child looking at the work at a certain place.



I wanted to see that work too, so when I went closer, the other side also noticed me, and it turned out that he was the creator of that work.



This was also completely unplanned, and I was there by chance, so I was able to hear an explanation directly from the author. And I think it would be great if we could have that kind of exchange in the future.



Next, regarding the support of His Majesty the Emperor, this September, I acted as an interim representative for state affairs for the first time, although it was only for one day.



This itself is a matter stipulated by law, so unless there is a serious reason, for example, if His Majesty the Emperor is overseas or something else happens, I will do it. It will be.



On the other hand, if you think about how you can support His Majesty the Emperor in other ways, for example, public affairs will be in the form of a temporary substitute, but various other public activities, His Majesty the Emperor. I think that there will probably be offers from various places, and they want you to attend.



However, of course, it is impossible for His Majesty the Emperor to attend all of them. In addition, for example, there is some kind of event in the local area, and I attend it and have the opportunity to interact with various people on that occasion. However, I don't know if it will (also) be a support in some sense, but I sometimes think that it will lead to that kind of thing.



Anything else?



(Reporter)


It's okay.



(Prince Akishino)


Are you sure?

(問5)
ことしは沖縄の本土復帰から50年を迎え、安倍晋三元首相の銃撃事件より、要人の警備のあり方が大きく見直されました。

英国ではエリザベス女王が死去し、チャールズ国王が即位しました。

この1年を振り返り印象に残った出来事についてお聞かせください。

(秋篠宮さま)
この1年、さまざまなことがあったと思います。

例えば、ロシアのウクライナ侵攻や各地での紛争や内戦、また異常気象ですね。

それから大きな事故とか事件によって多くの尊い命が失われたり、また人々の生活を脅かすようなことがあったと思います。

中でも気候変動によると考えられる異常気象、これは洪水であったり、干ばつであったり、それから熱波などもありますね。

それから山火事などいろいろあるわけですけれども、この気候変動というのは非常に気に掛かっています。

そしてこれは生態系にも大きな影響を及ぼしますし、また、例えば食料不足など私たちの暮らしにも大きく影響するものだと思います。

そして、この気候変動というのはもちろん地球規模のものであるわけですが、これは人間活動によるものも非常に大きいウェイトを占める、気候変動に関する政府間パネルの第6次評価報告書で言われていますけれども、そのようなことから、個人個人もそのことに意識を向けていくということが必要なのではないかなということを感じています。

エリザベス女王陛下の崩御についてですけれども、エリザベス女王陛下の70年にわたる御代の間にはいろいろな御苦労があったと思います。

しかし、あれは21歳のお誕生日だったでしょうか。

その時のスピーチで「私の生涯を皆さんに(中略)捧げます」ということをお話しになりましたが、そのことを実践されてこられたのではないかと思っています。

崩御後に、ウェストミンスターホールにものすごくたくさんの人たちがお参りに来ていて、改めて国民から信頼された方だったのだなと感じました。

私自身は、今までに御訪日の時以降は、1989年と90年にお目に掛かっていると思います。

また、沖縄の本土復帰50年、このこともこの1年の間では印象に残っていることの一つです。

沖縄の復帰、1972年5月ですけれども、その時私は小学校の1年生でした。

恐らくその式典のあったその日だと思うのですが、これは定かではありません、学校の全校の朝会の時に、その時に校長先生の話があって、私が行っていたのは学習院初等科で、校長のことを科長と言うのですが、話があって、その時に、今日、沖縄が復帰しました、ということを先生が話したこと、それがすごく印象に残っているのですね。

もう50年たった今でも、強く印象に残っています。

また、この50年というこの年には、戦争の時に非常に多くの人、県民の4人に1人が亡くなったとも言われていますけれども、その沖縄戦のことに思いを致す機会にもなったと思いますし、それからいろいろな展示会とか芸能の公演とかが行われ、沖縄の文化、芸術を知る機会にもなったのかなと思っております。

それ以外ですと、COVIDー19の感染状況というのが、デルタ株の時までと、それからオミクロン株になってからとで、やはりずいぶん人々の持つイメージも変わってきていると思います。

私自身もいろいろ、現場の医療者とも話をしていると、もう全然違う病気というぐらいの感じを持っているという話をよく聞きます。

また、行動制限も非常に緩和され、海外からも人が日本を訪ねてくるようになってきたわけですね。

そのような中にあって、私自身、観光地が再びにぎわいを取り戻したということがすごく良かったなと、観光地だけではないですけれども、いろいろなところが以前の状態に近くなってきたということを非常に喜ばしく思っているところですが、一方でまた、感染者が増加しているときなどの医療施設、病院などの状況、それもやはり入院患者が増えれば大変なことになってくるわけで、その辺りのうまくバランスと言いますか、どういうふうに取っていくのが良いかというのは、なかなか難しいところだなということを最近感じております。

それとCOVID-19の関連で言うと、人と動物の共通感染症というのは、感染症の中でもかなり多くあるわけですけれども、やはりこの一つの感染症だけでなくて、それから人との感染症ということだけでなく、やはり生態系全体としての位置付けと言いますか、ワンヘルスという言い方をよくしますけれども、その概念が少しずつ広まってきているのかなという印象も受けています。

最後になりますけれども、この4月に立皇嗣の礼に関わる神宮の参拝と、それから山陵の参拝を済ますことができて、これで大礼に関わるすべての行事が終わったことになり、そのことに安堵しているところです。

大体以上がこの1年に関したことです。

(記者)
ありがとうございます。

(関連質問1)
このたびはお誕生日おめでとうございます。

1問目にございました皇室の発信についてですけれども、発信の基準というのは難しいかもしれませんけれども、発信の在り方として、宮内庁が間接的に、例えば殿下がこのようにお考えだという説明をするのと、殿下が直接的に、殿下の主語で私はこうだと発信するのと、そういうやり方があると思いますけれども、その辺は、殿下はどのようにお考えでしょうか。

(秋篠宮さま)
皇室のことの発信という点で言えば、やはり間接的でない方がストレートに伝わると、私は思います。

ただ、宮内庁のホームページでそれをするのが適当なのかどうかというのは、また考えないといけないことかなと思うのですね。

宮内庁のホームページ、イコール皇室のホームページなのか、それとも宮内庁という皇室を支えている一つのお役所が皇室のことを発信しているのか、その辺りの位置付けも今後、検討していく必要があるのではないかなと思います。

(記者)
そうすると、宮内庁のホームページではなくて、やはりSNSですね。

それは各皇族方がアカウントをお持ちになって、それで発信するということも可能性として考えられるのでしょうか。

(秋篠宮さま)
今現在、皇族のうちの誰かが個人のアカウントで発信しているかどうかということは私は知りませんけれども、恐らく私はやらないと思いますが、そういう可能性も、もちろんあり得ることだと思います。

(記者)どうもありがとうございます。

(関連質問2)
本日はありがとうございます。

私も同じく1問目に関して、関連の質問をさせていただきます。

現実として、具体的に検討した時に、基準作りというのがなかなか難しいということをお話しされていたかと思いますが、一方で、この1年、去年の記者会見の後からもさまざまな皇室に関する報道がなされていて、中には事実でないことも含まれていたかと思います。

そもそもそういった誤った情報、事実でない情報について反論をしていく、正していくということの必要性については、この1年を通じて、殿下はどのようにお感じになっていたでしょうか。

(秋篠宮さま)
これは先ほどの基準とも少し関係してきます。

事実誤認のことが書かれていることについて、これはあまりにもひどい事実誤認だと思われることについて、それは違うよ、という反論をするということは、あり得ると思うのですね、私は。

一方で、これは去年もお話ししたのかな、記事というのは、そのことのみ書かれているわけではありませんので、いくつかの複数の事柄が中に書かれています。

そうすると、それ以外にも、軽い誤認というのは変な言い方かもしれませんが、何かそういうものがいくつか散見された場合に、このことは違うけれども、ほかに書かれていることは全部正しいのね、ということにもなるわけですね。

そこが、私が、基準が必要ではないかと言い、また、今年、基準を作るのが非常に難しいと言ったことになります。

ですから、どういう形だとそういうことが、ここに書かれていることは間違いですよということを、つまり何か良い形で発信できる方法があれば、それは良いと思っていますが、これは恐らく、引き続き検討する必要があると考えています。

(Related question 3)


Happy birthday.



In your answer to the third question, you said that if you were asked something about Princess Kako, you would give your opinion. I would like to ask if you conveyed your opinion, and this year, I have seen several opportunities for His Imperial Highness to use sign language at sporting events for persons with disabilities. You use a lot of sign language in your activities, and on the other hand, do you have any opportunities to receive advice on sign language, for example, from Princess Kako? increase.



(Prince Akishino)


First of all, regarding sign language, at an event related to the Federation of the Deaf, I practiced sign language for the very last phrase for the first time.



At that time, her wife gave me some advice, but I don't think her daughter gave me any particular advice.



However, I feel that, even if not all, I have to be able to use sign language to some extent when greeting people at sports events for people with disabilities, so maybe there will be something in the future. .



Regarding your first question, if you ask me for my opinion, it might be about work, or, for example, when she is giving a greeting somewhere, I would ask her to look at the manuscript. That's what commenting is.



is this good.



(Reporter) Thank you.