Princess Aiko visits Niigata Prefecture for the first time and attends the National Disaster Prevention Promotion Convention

September 6th: Princess Aiko visits Niigata Prefecture for the first time

On this day in 2025, Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, visited Niigata Prefecture to attend a session of the National Convention for the Promotion of Disaster Risk Reduction. Princess Aiko listened from the front row as the state of support for the Noto Peninsula earthquake was reported. There was a scene that surprised the reporter who interviewed him.

On September 6th, Prince Akishino's eldest son Hisahito's coming-of-age ceremony was held. After attending the ``Kakan no Gi'' ceremony in the morning, Princess Aiko arrived at Niigata Station by Shinkansen in the evening. This was Princess Aiko's first visit to Niigata Prefecture, and many people welcomed her with cheers.

The National Disaster Prevention Promotion Convention is sponsored by the Cabinet Office and is one of Japan's largest disaster prevention events, where people from industry, academia, and the public sector interact. The session was held at Toki Messe in Niigata City, and Princess Aiko attended a report on the 7th titled ``Disaster Welfare Support - Disaster Welfare Support Activities and Challenges in the 2020 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and Future Prospects.''

Officials who visited the site gave presentations on the activities of the Disaster Dispatch Welfare Team (DWAT), which provides support as welfare experts during disasters, and the issues faced by disaster victims. Princess Aiko sat in the front row of the audience and listened to the lecturer, facing him.

A space for reporters was set up at the rear of the audience seats, and reporters covered Princess Aiko's situation from behind. Princess Aiko was looking at the materials she had in hand and nodding along to the explanation. His enthusiasm could be felt from behind his back, but at times his body was hunched over and he seemed motionless.

Maybe you're tired. I was concerned about this, but when I left my seat to check on her, I saw that Princess Aiko seemed to be taking notes on something. In order not to miss the presenter's explanation, he leaned forward and moved the pen in his hand with great effort.

Those who met Princess Aiko looked relaxed.