Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan to visit Finland

Office of the President of the Republic
Press release 19/2019
25 June 2019

Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan will visit Finland on 2–5 July 2019. President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö and Mrs Jenni Haukio will welcome Their Highnesses on 3 July at the President’s summer residence Kultaranta. The visit marks 100 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan.

During their four-day visit, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will explore Finnish culture, landmarks, nature and healthcare. On Tuesday, their programme includes visits at the National Museum of Finland, Ateneum Art Museum as well as Helsinki Cathedral. On Wednesday, in addition to the Kultaranta visit, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will lay a wreath at Hietaniemi Cemetery and visit the city of Turku, where they will tour Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral.

On Thursday, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will visit the National Archives of Finland to view documents of early diplomatic relations between Finland and Japan. The Crown Prince is also scheduled to visit the Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm, while the Crown Princess will visit New Children’s Hospital and the Oodi Central Library. In the afternoon, Their Imperial Highnesses will learn about Finland’s maternity and child healthcare services at the Iso Omena maternity clinic as well as visit the Fiskars Village.

Crown Prince and Crown Princess’s programme during the last day will include visits at Seurasaari Island and Ainola, the home of Aino and Jean Sibelius.

This is the Crown Prince's first official overseas visit since he assumed his current title. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will arrive to Finland from Poland. Akishino became the Crown Prince in April, following Emperor Akihito’s abdication and the enthronement of Akihito’s eldest son Naruhito as the Emperor of Japan.