<figure id="attachment_297622" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-297622" style="width: 2088px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="20568fc5"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2023/02/2023022309008.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-297622" class="wp-caption-text">Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Princess Aiko wave to the public on February 23 (Photo by Kyodo News)</figcaption></figure>
 On February 23, His Majesty the Emperor celebrated his 63rd birthday.
 Before his birthday, he held a press conference at the Imperial Palace, where he reflected on his days with Empress Masako, with whom he had been married for 30 years. He also expressed his joy at the resumption last year of his visits to the provinces, which he had refrained from due to the COVID-19 crisis.
 As for the basic principles of the Imperial Family and its activities, His Majesty the Emperor answered, &#8220;To always wish for the happiness of the people and to share their sufferings and joys with the people.
 Of course, he did not reveal anything at this press conference, but I have heard that he is particularly concerned about the &#8220;future of the Emperor&#8217;s family.
 One such concern is said to be that of Prince Akishino, the first in line of succession to the throne.
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 One of the concerns is that of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino, the first in line of succession to the Imperial Throne. It is said that we often hear bad comments from those who visit, saying, &#8216;I don&#8217;t want to go there anymore if I can help it. It seems that there are quite a few people who are not comfortable spending time with Akishino no Miya, either because of the cold way they are treated or because they don&#8217;t feel comfortable spending time with her. Especially among career bureaucrats, such stories have been circulating.
 It is said that His Majesty the Emperor has heard about such attitude of Akishino no Miya many times.
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 However, it does not appear that he has directly questioned Akishino no Miya about it. It seems that His Majesty&#8217;s attitude is &#8216;I hope everyone will somehow understand,&#8217; which shows his concern in his own way.
 Needless to say, Prince Hisahito of Akishino will succeed His Majesty the Emperor himself, and his eldest son Prince Hisahito will succeed him.
 Once, when Prince Akishino had the idea that &#8216;if he is going to be emperor, the earlier the better,&#8217; it was reported exactly the same way,&#8221; he said. It is believed that this is also a point of concern for His Majesty the Emperor.
 Naturally, it seems that His Majesty&#8217;s feelings toward Prince Eugene are not shallow.
 He is also concerned about his &#8216;education as the Emperor of Japan. So-called imperial education is a completely different dimension from studying for entrance exams for university entrance. It is an extremely troubling matter because it comes down to the question of how to acquire the ability to look at the nation as a whole, and how to behave and think in a manner that is appropriate for the nation. This is because, at the very least, His Highness Prince Akishino is not being educated on the premise that he will become the Emperor in the future.
 Can it be said that this was a &#8220;worrisome matter&#8221; that was heard amidst the joyous circumstances of Reiwa&#8217;s first general visit to the palace?

 On February 23, His Majesty the Emperor celebrated his 63rd birthday. Before his birthday, he held a press conference at the Imperial Palace, where he reflected on his days with Empress Masako, with whom he had been married for 30 years. In addition, he left his visit to the provinces, which he had refrained from due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Reputedly, &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to go there anymore.&#8221;&#8230; On the occasion of his 63rd birthday, His Majesty the Emperor expressed his &#8220;concern&#8221; to Prince Akishino.

Reputedly, “I don’t want to go there anymore.”… On the occasion of his 63rd birthday, His Majesty the Emperor expressed his “concern” to Prince Akishino.

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