Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako traveled to Hikone, Shiga Prefecture in western Japan to attend the Japan Games opening ceremony on September 28.

S/ Emperor Naruhito/ I wish for all of the athletes to be able to fully demonstrate the results of their daily practice and efforts, foster friendship, and deepen their ties with the local people of Shiga Prefecture.

The imperial couple raised a blue towel in the color of Shiga’s Lake Biwa, the largest lake in the country, to cheer on the athletes together with the audience.

After the ceremony, the two spoke to Shiga born track athlete Kiryu Yoshihide who served as torchbearer for this national games.

They mentioned his achievements of running under 10 seconds in the men’s 100 meters and representing Japan in three Olympics.

On September 29, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited the Shiga Prefecture School for the Visually Impaired in Hikone.

The couple observed a class where middle school students reused old braille newspaper to make envelopes.

S/ Emperor Naruhito/ How is the progress?

S/ Empress Masako/ It’s done very well.

The envelopes are to be sold at the opening ceremony of the National Sports Festival for People with a Disability, also scheduled to take place in Shiga Prefecture in October.

When Empress Masako heard that the students are attending the opening ceremony, she commented that it will be a good experience.

Afterwards, the emperor and empress spoke to a graduate of the school who now serves as the president of an organization of guide dog users.

S/ Shinkai Chiemi, Biwako Harness Association/ Don’t turn your butt towards the imperial couple.

S/ Empress Masako/ How old is the dog?

S/ Shinkai Chiemi, Biwako Harness Association/ She’s three years old.

S/ Emperor Naruhito/ She’s so well behaved.

S/ Shinkai Chiemi, Biwako Harness Association/ Thank you very much.

The couple asked about the organization’s activities and listened intently to explanations about outreach at elementary schools where they discuss visual impairment and guide dogs.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako returned to Tokyo later that evening.