Crown Prince Akishino Speaks on Imperial Law Before Paraguay Visit
Listen to the story
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Princess Kiko, held a press conference ahead of their upcoming visit to Paraguay. During the conference, they were asked about the recent revision to the Imperial House Law.
The Imperial House Law is Japan's law that sets rules for the royal family, including who can become emperor. The law was recently changed by lawmakers, and this update has drawn public attention.
When asked about the revised law, Crown Prince Akishino said he has 'various thoughts' on the matter. He added that he shares the same view as the emperor, who had already spoken about the issue previously.
The crown prince did not go into detail about what specific parts of the law concern him or which changes he supports. His comments were brief and general, without naming particular sections of the law.
This press conference took place shortly before Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko were set to depart for an official visit to Paraguay, a country in South America. Such trips are part of the royal family's diplomatic duties, helping to strengthen relationships between Japan and other nations.
Members of the Japanese royal family often travel abroad to represent the country at important events or to build friendly ties with other governments. The visit to Paraguay is expected to follow this tradition, though specific details about the trip's schedule were not given in the report.
The question about the Imperial House Law reflects ongoing public interest in Japan regarding the future of the royal family and how the law may affect succession rules going forward.
Vocabulary10 words
- press conference
- a meeting where officials answer questions from reporters
- Paraguay
- a country in South America
- revision
- an official change made to a law or document
- royal family
- the family of an emperor or king
- emperor
- the top position in Japan's royal family
- official visit
- a formal trip made for government or royal duties
- diplomatic
- related to relationships between countries
- succession
- the order of who takes a position next
- lawmakers
- people who create or change laws
- tradition
- something done the same way for a long time
Quiz
Answer key
1. The revised Imperial House Law 2. He has 'various thoughts' and agrees with the emperor 3. Paraguay
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Princess Kiko, held a press conference ahead of their upcoming visit to _____.
During the conference, they were asked about the recent _____ to the Imperial House Law.
The Imperial House Law is Japan's law that sets rules for the _____ family.
The law was recently changed by _____, and this update has drawn public attention.
Crown Prince Akishino said he has '_____ thoughts' on the matter.
He added that he shares the same view as the _____.
The crown prince did not go into _____ about specific parts of the law.
This press conference took place shortly before their _____ visit to Paraguay.
Such trips are part of the royal family's _____ duties.
The visit to Paraguay is expected to follow this _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might royal family members hold press conferences before official trips abroad?
- What do you think 'various thoughts' means when talking about a sensitive topic like a law?
- Why might a country's royal family follow official trips as a tradition?
- How might changes to succession laws affect a royal family's future?