Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino Leave for Paraguay
Listen to the story
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko have left Japan for an official visit to Paraguay. They departed from Haneda Airport in Tokyo.
Their daughter, Princess Kako, came to the airport to see them off before the trip.
The visit marks the 90th anniversary of Japanese emigration to Paraguay. Emigration means leaving one's home country to live in another country.
During their stay, the royal couple will attend a ceremony to celebrate this anniversary. They will also meet members of the local Japanese-Paraguayan community, people whose families originally came from Japan.
According to reports, an ambassador from another country asked the prince why Japan's royal family has such a close relationship with Japanese-Paraguayans.
In response, the couple expressed their gratitude for the strong feelings that Japanese-Paraguayans continue to hold for Japan, even generations after their families first arrived.
The relationship between the Japanese royal family and overseas Japanese communities has long been seen as an important part of Japan's diplomatic and cultural ties abroad.
This visit is expected to strengthen the connection between Japan and Paraguay, as well as honour the history of the Japanese immigrant community there.
Vocabulary8 words
- official visit
- a formal trip made by an important government or royal person
- emigration
- leaving your own country to live in another one
- ceremony
- a formal event held to mark something important
- Japanese-Paraguayan community
- a group of people in Paraguay with Japanese family background
- ambassador
- an official who represents their country in another nation
- royal family
- the family of an emperor or king
- gratitude
- a strong feeling of thanks
- diplomatic
- related to relationships between countries
Quiz
Answer key
1. Haneda Airport 2. 90 years of Japanese emigration to Paraguay 3. Why the royal family has a close relationship with Japanese-Paraguayans
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko have left Japan for an official _____ to Paraguay. They departed from _____ Airport in Tokyo.
Their daughter, Princess _____, came to the airport to see them off before the trip.
The visit marks the 90th anniversary of Japanese _____ to Paraguay.
During their stay, the royal couple will attend a _____ to celebrate this anniversary.
They will also meet members of the local Japanese-Paraguayan _____, people whose families originally came from Japan.
According to reports, an _____ from another country asked the prince why Japan's royal family has such a close relationship with Japanese-Paraguayans.
In response, the couple expressed their _____ for the strong feelings that Japanese-Paraguayans continue to hold for Japan.
This visit is expected to strengthen the connection between Japan and _____, as well as honour the history of the Japanese immigrant community there.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think royal or government visits to communities abroad are important?
- What might it feel like for a community whose ancestors emigrated decades ago to receive a royal visit?
- Why might other countries be curious about Japan's close relationship with Japanese emigrant communities?
- What are some other examples of countries maintaining strong ties with citizens who emigrated long ago?