Princess Kiko expressed her sympathy for victims of wildfires in Iwate Prefecture's Ouchi town and other regions during a Tokyo event [1].
The appearance highlights the Japanese Imperial Family's role in bridging environmental advocacy with national disaster response. By addressing the wildfires during a conservation festival, the princess linked the importance of protecting nature with the immediate human toll of environmental catastrophes.
Princess Kiko attended the "Midori no Kanshasai" in her capacity as honorary president [1]. The ceremony took place in a Tokyo hall between Sept. 9 and 10, 2024 [2, 3]. During the event, she said the devastation caused by mountain fires had occurred in various locations across the country [1].
Regarding the situation in Iwate, reports indicated that the wildfire in Ouchi town was on its third day [4]. Princess Kiko said she had been praying for the fires to subside while thinking of those who had been evacuated and those who dedicated their efforts to firefighting activities [1].
She also extended her gratitude to the emergency responders. "I express my deep respect for those who have exerted every effort in the response," she said [1].
The Midori no Kanshasai serves as a platform for promoting nature conservation, and environmental awareness. In addition to her condolences, the princess encouraged the participants to maintain their dedication to ecological preservation. "Please continue to work hard in your green activities," she said [3].
The event combined the celebration of environmental stewardship with a somber acknowledgement of the risks posed by uncontrolled wildfires in Japan's mountainous terrain [1, 2].
“I express my deep respect for those who have exerted every effort in the response”
This engagement underscores the strategic use of honorary imperial roles to maintain public morale during natural disasters. By aligning the 'Midori no Kanshasai' conservation goals with a response to active wildfires, the monarchy reinforces a narrative of resilience and environmental responsibility in the face of increasing climate-related risks in rural Japan.
