Crown Prince Akishino attends zoo association meeting

Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun
Crown Prince Akishino speaks at the general meeting of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Thursday.

Crown Prince Akishino visited Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, on Thursday to attend the general meeting of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, for which he serves as president.

The association is focusing its activities this fiscal year on animal welfare. The crown prince said, “[The activities] will encourage more discussions on the happiness of animals and the relationship between people and animals.”

On Friday, the crown prince was scheduled to return to Tokyo after visiting Nasu Animal Kingdom, which is involved in the conservation of endangered species.