By AYAKO NAKADA/ Staff Writer
August 23, 2025 at 17:50 JST
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako speak with African leaders and their spouses at a tea reception held at the Imperial Palace on Aug. 22. (Pool)
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a tea reception for African leaders and their spouses at the Imperial Palace on Aug. 22.
The dignitaries were in Japan to attend the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) held in Yokohama between Aug. 20 and 22.
In his speech, Naruhito said, “I hope (TICAD 9) contributes to the further development of African nations and the happiness of their peoples.”
The imperial couple’s daughter, Princess Aiko, as well as Crown Prince Fumihito, Crown Princess Kiko and their second daughter, Princess Kako, also attended the reception and mingled with the dignitaries.
A total of 37 individuals, including 27 national leaders and the head of an international organization, took part.
Noting that TICAD meetings have been held for more than 30 years, Naruhito said he hoped the partnership between Japan and Africa would become stronger and more bountiful.
After the tea reception, the imperial couple took part in the ceremony for the Fifth Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize held at Meiji Kinenkan in Tokyo’s Minato Ward.
The prize named for the famed bacteriologist is given to those helping to combat infectious diseases in Africa.
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