São Paulo (AP) – The Japanese Princess of Axino, niece of Emperor Naruhito, embarked on an 11-day journey to Brazil on Friday, visiting the vibrant São Paulo state. This trip coincides with the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.
Princess Kako and her parents, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, arrived in São Paulo on Thursday. On Friday, she met with members of the Japanese community and concluded her day with a dinner alongside Governor Tarcísio de Freitas at the state government palace, where she was presented with the Order of Ipiranga at a closing ceremony.
Princess Kako is slated to visit seven other cities, including Rio de Janeiro and the capital, Brasília, where she is expected to meet with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During her discussion with Governor De Freitas, she reflected on the journey of the first Japanese immigrants who arrived in Santos in 1908 after a perilous sea voyage. On her first day in Brazil, she paid tribute to these pioneers by visiting a memorial dedicated to Japanese settlers at Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo.
“I sensed that the immigrants made tremendous efforts to adapt to Brazil, and they continue to contribute actively in various regions today. Brazil’s support for the Japanese community has significantly strengthened the ties between our two nations,” the princess remarked.
Today, Brazil hosts the largest Japanese population outside of Japan, with estimates around 2.7 million individuals globally, nearly half of whom reside in São Paulo, according to official statistics.
Emperor Naruhito, who has no male heirs, has designated his brother, Prince Fumihito, as his first successor. Japanese traditions prohibit women from ascending to the throne.
Princess Kako’s sister, Princess Mako, was the last member of the Japanese imperial family to marry outside of the monarchy. Check out Brazil—she visited 13 cities in South America in 2018.
Source: apnews.com