Japan’s Princess Kako Places Wreath at Cenotaph for Japanese Immigrants in Sao Paulo; Cherry Blossom Tree Planted in Park by Princess (Update 1)

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By Kaori Sakaba / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

11:55 JST, June 6, 2025 (updated at 13:50 JST, June 6)

SAO PAULO — Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, offered a wreath at a memorial monument honoring Japanese immigrants in Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park on Thursday.

Erected in 1975, the Mausoleum of Pioneers of Japanese Immigration commemorates Japanese immigrants in Brazil who undertook pioneering work far from Japan and died without their families.

After laying the wreath, the princess bowed deeply. She signed a guest book and listened to the history of how the monument was built. “It must have been very difficult [for them],” she said.

The princess also visited Japanese Pavilion, which was built in the park in 1954, planted a commemorative cherry tree and fed ornamental nishikigoi carp.