Japan's Emperor and Empress visited Ehime Prefecture from May 16 to 17 to attend the 76th National Tree Planting Festival [1].
The visit underscores the imperial couple's commitment to environmental conservation and nature protection. It also provided an opportunity for the couple to meet with residents affected by heavy rains in western Japan [1].
During the two-day trip [1], the Emperor and Empress visited an aquarium operated by Nagahama High School in Ozu City. While touring the facility, the Emperor shared a personal anecdote about his past. "Long ago, I kept a clownfish in a tank," the Emperor said [2].
The couple also visited the Tobe Zoo, where the Empress met Peace, a polar bear that survived through successful artificial rearing [3]. The meeting was a significant moment for the Empress, who became emotional during the encounter. "It was my dream to meet Peace," the Empress said [2].
A dedicated zookeeper noted the bear's history, saying the animal is a happy child because it has been loved since it was young [2].
This trip marked the first time the Emperor and Empress visited the prefecture together in 27 years [2]. Separately, it was the Emperor's first visit to the region in nine years, with his previous visit occurring in 2017 while he was still the Crown Prince [3].
“"It was my dream to meet Peace," — Empress of Japan”
The imperial couple's engagement with both high-school-led conservation efforts and specialized wildlife recovery programs like that of 'Peace' the polar bear signals a strategic focus on public-facing environmental diplomacy. By combining formal state ceremonies, such as the National Tree Planting Festival, with visits to disaster-affected citizens, the monarchy continues to position itself as a symbol of national resilience and ecological stewardship.
