The Emperor, Empress, and Princess Aiko will visit Okinawa Prefecture from June 4 to 5, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The visit will be Princess Aiko’s first trip to Okinawa and the first time in nine years that the Imperial family will carry out joint public duties outside Tokyo.
On June 4, the family will offer flowers at the National War Dead Peace Mausoleum in Itoman, a city deeply connected to the war’s final battles. On June 5, they are scheduled to visit the memorial monument for the victims of the Tsushima-maru—a ship tragically sunk by a U.S. submarine while evacuating Okinawan schoolchildren during the war.
According to the Okinawa prefectural government, the proposal for the visit was initiated by the prefecture. Governor Denny Tamaki will accompany the Imperial family throughout their stay.
This will be the second official visit to Okinawa by the Emperor and Empress since their enthronement, following their participation in the National Cultural Festival in October 2022.
The visit holds deep symbolic importance, not only for its focus on peace and remembrance but also as a significant step in Princess Aiko’s expanding public role.
