Princess Kako visited a monument for Japanese immigrants in São Paulo on June 5.

The cenotaph, which is dedicated to the deceased pioneers of Japanese immigration, has also been visited by Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, and Emperor Naruhito.

Princess Kako reportedly said that the immigrants “must have had a hard time” when she was told that some of the deceased did not have any family members who could pray for them.

The princess also planted a commemorative cherry tree at the Japanese Pavilion in Ibirapuera Park and fed nishikigoi carp in the pond.

The  pavilion is a Japanese-style building and garden built 71 years ago by the Brazilian-Japanese community and the Japanese government.

It has become a symbol of friendship between the two countries. The official visit by Princess Kako marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Brazil.