Imperial Family of Japan Scheduled for Nagasaki Visit in September
The Imperial Family, including Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko, will visit Nagasaki Prefecture next month, marking their first trip there since 1996 and the first since Naruhito's enthronement in 2019.
The visit, scheduled from September 12 to 14, 2025, aims to mourn the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing, a significant gesture reflecting remembrance and peace advocacy. On September 12, the Imperial couple will place flowers at the memorial monument for the victims of the Aug. 9, 1945, atomic bombing of Nagasaki in Nagasaki Peace Park.
Empress Masako will meet with hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) at a nursing home in Nagasaki on September 13. Princess Aiko will join her parents for two days, from September 12 to 13.
The visit holds notable significance as it renews the Imperial Family’s direct engagement with Nagasaki's atomic bomb legacy after nearly three decades. It underlines a continued commitment to honoring the war dead and supporting hibakusha. The timing, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, emphasizes reflecting on the consequences of war and promoting peace.
During their visit, the Imperial couple and Princess Aiko will participate in separate events. The Imperial couple will attend the opening ceremony of the National Cultural Festival in Sasebo, also in Nagasaki Prefecture. The exact details of the visit, including any official events, have not been disclosed.
This visit is intended to mourn the victims of the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing in Nagasaki. It is also their first trip to Nagasaki since Emperor Naruhito's enthronement in 2019. This will be Princess Aiko's first trip to Nagasaki Prefecture.
The Imperial Household Agency announced the visit on Tuesday. The visit involves a series of events, including a memorial event and a meeting with atomic bomb survivors. The Imperial Family's visit to Nagasaki aligns with previous commemorations by the Emperor and Empress, who paid respects at other historic sites of conflict this year, such as Hiroshima and Okinawa, reinforcing their role in historical remembrance and reconciliation efforts.
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