Photo/Illutration Princess Kako gives a speech with sign language at a competition for high school students in Kurayoshi, Tottori Prefecture, on Sept. 25. (Pool)

KURAYOSHI, Tottori Prefecture—Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, attended a national sign-language competition for high school students here on Sept. 25.

The 9th National High School Sign Language Performance Koshien, supported by The Asahi Shimbun, its Social Welfare Organization and other groups, was the first competition held in person in three years.

“It must have been difficult at times for you to practice under the various restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic,” Kako, 27, said in a speech using sign language at the opening ceremony.

“I think the various efforts you made in creating your performances and working hard toward your goals were valuable experiences for you,” she told the students. “I’m rooting for you so that you can show your best performance.”

Fifteen teams from 12 prefectures that passed the preliminary round performed sign language while acting and dancing.

The joint team of the Sakado School for the Deaf and the Omiya School for the Deaf, both in Saitama Prefecture, came in first.

The Nara Prefectural School for the Deaf took second, and the Matsuyama School for the Deaf in Ehime Prefecture placed third.

Kako participated via video message when the event was held online in 2020 and 2021.

This year, she praised the students in person, using sign language to signify applause after each performance.

After the awards ceremony, Kako talked with students from the winning team: Haruka Narizuka, 16, from the Omiya School for the Deaf, and Chisaki Kise, 16, from the Sakado School for the Deaf.

“Congratulations on winning. Were you nervous?” Kako said in sign language.

“We were,” they replied.

“You didn’t look nervous,” Kako said with a smile.

She also asked them: “You two are from different schools (that are) far from each other, aren’t you? How did you practice? Did you meet for the first time for this (competition)?”

Kako learned that the two have been friends since they were kids.

“You discussed a lot and practiced hard in many ways. I was delighted to see your wonderful performance today. I enjoyed it,” Kako said in sign language.

Narizuka said afterward: “Princess Kako actively asked us questions in her charming sign language. It was a pleasure to meet her.”

Kise said: “Princess Kako was really good at sign language. We were able to have a smooth conversation.”

Kise had met Kako at another sign-language speech contest held this month.

“Princess Kako remembered me,” Kise said with a smile. “I was really happy to see her again.”

Related News