Japan’s Crown Prince and family visit overseas migration museum in Yokohama

YOKOHAMA — Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito), his wife Crown Princess Kiko and their son Prince Hisahito visited on Jan. 10 the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yokohama’s Japanese Overseas Migration Museum, which was renovated to mark its 20th anniversary.

Located in Yokohama’s Naka Ward, the museum opened in 2002, and its permanent exhibition introduces the history of Japanese who emigrated overseas, as well as the current state of people of Japanese descent abroad, or Nikkei, and their community using photographs, videos and models.

Hearing the explanation that there are various theories as to when the emigration began, Prince Hisahito commented, “It was not long ago, but there are not many historical records left.”

The Crown Prince, who seemed impressed, said, “It was worth seeing. It was like a complete overview of immigration.”

They also toured a special exhibition focusing on Okinawa Prefecture, which sent abroad the second largest number of immigrants following Hiroshima Prefecture.

After their tour, the three met with four Brazilian and Argentinean Nikkei who are successful in Japan.

(Japanese original by Hiroyuki Takashima, Tokyo City News Department)