Key Facts
• On September 13, the Imperial Family visited Nagasaki’s atomic bomb care home.
• Emperor and Empress met eight elderly survivors, aged 80s to 90s.
• Aiko asked residents about their daily lives and meals.
• The Emperor expressed sympathy for survivors’ hardships.
• The family held hands with residents during their visit.
• In the afternoon, the Emperor and Empress visited Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum.
• They viewed artworks at the National Disability Arts and Culture Festival.
• The Emperor admired a detailed painting of a cityscape from a bird’s-eye view.
• The couple observed a live demonstration of “kirie” (paper cutting art).
• The Emperor praised the artist’s skill, and the Empress inquired about the scissors used.
• The couple received a dinosaur-themed kirie artwork as a gift.
• Aiko completed her two-day visit and returned to Tokyo at 4:30 PM.
Summary
The Japanese Imperial Family visited Nagasaki on September 13, engaging with atomic bomb survivors and attending the National Disability Arts and Culture Festival. In the morning, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko visited a care home for elderly survivors, showing compassion and listening to their experiences. Later, the Emperor and Empress viewed artworks at the Nagasaki Prefectural Art Museum, including a live demonstration of kirie, where they received a dinosaur-themed artwork. Aiko concluded her two-day visit and returned to Tokyo in the afternoon.
