Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Ozu City in Ehime Prefecture on Saturday to meet with residents affected by flooding [1].
The visit underscores the imperial couple's ongoing commitment to disaster recovery and regional support years after the devastating 2018 West Japan heavy rains [2].
During the visit, the Emperor and Empress spoke with survivors and local business owners. Among those they met was sake brewery reconstructor Rintaro Yamauchi. Regarding his efforts to rebuild, Yamauchi said, "I hope to put my heart and soul into making the kind of sake that can only be produced in this region" [1].
The couple also attended the 76th National Tree Planting Festival, which took place in Ehime from May 16 to 17 [2]. This event serves as a symbol of environmental restoration, and community resilience in the wake of natural disasters [3].
As part of their itinerary, the imperial couple toured a local aquarium, the only facility of its kind in Japan operated by a high school [1]. While viewing the exhibits, Emperor Naruhito shared a personal anecdote about his interest in marine life. "I used to keep clownfish in a tank long ago," the Emperor said [1].
The visit highlighted the long-term impact of the July 2018 floods [2]. Reports on the human cost in Ozu City vary by source. One report said five people died [1], while another record indicates 74 deaths, including disaster-related deaths [4].
The imperial couple is continuing a series of regional visits this month. Following the trip to Ehime, they are scheduled to visit disaster-affected areas in Okayama Prefecture from May 25 to 26 [5].
“"I used to keep clownfish in a tank long ago," the Emperor said.”
The visit to Ozu City blends formal state duties, such as the National Tree Planting Festival, with personal diplomacy. By engaging with high school students and local entrepreneurs, the imperial couple reinforces the social fabric of rural regions still recovering from the 2018 floods. The mention of the Emperor's past hobby of keeping fish humanizes the monarchy, bridging the gap between the imperial household and the public during a period of regional reconstruction.
