Crown prince declines to discuss revised Imperial House Law

Crown Prince Akishino declined to discuss the revised Imperial House Law, enacted last month, at a news conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo on Thursday.

“I have various thoughts,” but added, “I would like to refrain from talking about anything here,” he said of the revised law designed to secure a sufficient number of Imperial Family members. The crown prince became the first imperial family member to speak at a news conference since its enactment.

The revised law allows the imperial family to adopt male paternal-line descendants of the 11 former Imperial Family branches and enable female members of the Imperial Family to retain their Imperial status after marriage.

At a news conference in June before the revised law’s enactment, Emperor Naruhito said he hopes that discussions on the number of imperial family members “will be something that gains the understanding of the people.”

Crown Prince Akishino said that he agrees with what the emperor said.

Asked if there is room for improvement in the revised Imperial House Law, he said, “What is important in society is to make progress so it is important for various people to think about how things should always be.”

The crown prince said he wants his son, Prince Hisahito, and his second daughter, Princess Kako, to live happily.

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are scheduled to visit Paraguay from Tuesday through Aug. 26 to mark the 90th anniversary of the first Japanese emigration to the country.

The crown prince will be traveling to Paraguay for the first time in 20 years. Previously, he visited the country without the Crown Princess following the birth of Prince Hisahito.

Crown Prince Akishino said he is grateful to visit Paraguay with his wife. The Crown Princess said she was thankful for the opportunity to make her first visit to the country.

“I would like to express my respect” to Japanese immigrants and descendants, who have served as bridges between Japan and the country, the crown prince added.

The couple offered their condolences to victims of a major earthquake that hit Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 and expressed sympathy for those affected by the temblor.