Princess Kako addresses ceremony to honor forestry contributions

Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Princess Kako speaks during a ceremony in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on Saturday.

Princess Kako, as part of her official duties, addressed a ceremony to award people who have contributed to forestry, on Saturday in Tokyo.

This was the first time the ceremony has been held since May 2019, before the pandemic. Back then, the Reiwa era had just begun and Princess Kako’s elder sister, the former Princess Mako, attended in place of her parents, who had taken on new duties as Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko.

“In order to pass on the irreplaceable greenery that plays many roles,” Princess Kako said during the ceremony in Chiyoda Ward, “I feel that it is important for each and every one of us to recognize the significance of greenery.”

The princess applauded from the podium while awards were presented.