BRASILIA, Brazil — Princess Kako of Akishino from Japan, who is Emperor Naruhito’s niece, met with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday during her 11-day journey through South America. The encounter was part of a private ceremony, signifying an important aspect of her traveling itinerary in Brazil.
As the younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako also had the opportunity to address the Brazilian Congress, where she expressed her gratitude toward the country’s ongoing support of Japanese immigrants for over a hundred years. Her visit began on June 5 and commemorates the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil. “The efforts of the Japanese who came, and the Brazilians who went to Japan, are deepening our bilateral relationship of friendship,” she stated. “I hope that the relationship between the two countries is a long lasting one.”
Hugo Motta, the speaker of Congress, communicated to the princess his aspiration for Brazil’s ethanol to assist Japan in decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels.
Brazil is home to the world’s largest Japanese-descended population, with around 2.7 million people, based on estimates. Nearly half of them reside in Sao Paulo state, where Princess Kako was awarded the state’s highest distinction by Governor Tarcisio de Freitas during her visit there.
In the Japanese royal family, Princess Kako’s father, Akishino, is presently first in line for the throne, given that Emperor Naruhito has no sons. The Japanese monarchy maintains a tradition where women are not permitted to ascend to the throne.
Princess Kako is set to reach Rio de Janeiro on Friday, where she plans to visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and a museum dedicated to Japanese immigration. The concluding segment of her visit will be in Foz do Iguacu, the site of the renowned Iguacu Falls.