Five years younger than his brother the Emperor, Crown Prince Akishino has long supported Imperial activities as the head of the leading princely household.
Since the Emperor took the throne in May, Crown Prince Akishino and his uncle Prince Hitachi, 84, are the only adult male members of the Imperial family, putting an even greater burden of official duties on the crown prince. This is because he has taken over almost all the events that were handled by the Emperor when he was crown prince, on top of still fulfilling many duties as the head of the Akishino household.
Crown Prince Akishino has visited 20 places in Japan over the past year since the Emperor took the throne, and also made official visits to two European countries along with Crown Princess Kiko in June and July last year.
At the opening ceremony of the 2019 Rugby World Cup held in Japan last September, Crown Prince Akishino announced the event's start as its honorary patron.
He currently serves as president or honorary president of 14 groups, including bodies associated with the Imperial family and carried on from now-deceased Imperial family members -- such as the Social Welfare Organization Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation Inc., Dainihon Nokai (Agricultural society of Japan) and the Japan Forestry Association. The number also includes groups related to living creatures and nature, which are subjects of lifetime study for the crown prince.
Crown Princess Kiko also supports medical and welfare activities as president of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association and the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-Kai.
Following the spread of the novel coronavirus, the couple learned online from these groups about their handling of the pandemic and various duties. If events unrelated to the coronavirus are included, they have attended 50 online meetings. Princess Mako, Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito have also participated sometimes.
Since the weighty position of the Emperor and Empress restricts their online activities, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are expanding their activities instead.
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