On August 21, Japan’s Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attended a ceremony in Paraguay along with President Santiago Pena and his wife.

The event, held near Paraguay’s capital Asuncion, marked the 90th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the South American country.

The prince of the Akishino imperial branch family gave a speech at the event.

S/ Crown Prince Fumihito / Japanese immigrants and people of Japanese descent have established trust within Paraguayan society and contributed significantly to the development of Paraguay across generations. I express my heartfelt respect for the path you have walked while contributing to Paraguayan society. Thank you very much. Muchas gracias. Aguyje.

Afterward, the imperial couple spoke with first-generation immigrants and their descendants about their experiences and the conditions during the early years of immigration.

Officials said an 84-year-old second-generation Japanese-Paraguayan woman thanked the couple for traveling such a long distance.

The crown prince responded that although the countries are far apart geographically, Paraguay feels very close to them.

The following day, the crown prince and princess, who are on an official visit to Paraguay, visited La Colmena, where Japanese settlers established their first community in 1936.

About 380 people of Japanese descent currently live in La Colmena.

The imperial couple laid flowers and paid their respects at a memorial for Japanese immigrants who helped develop the area.

They then spoke with members of the Japanese community here, including 88-year-old Kanazawa Yotsuko, a first-generation immigrant who moved to Paraguay before World War II.

S/ Crown Prince Fumihito / How old were you at the time?

S/ Kanazawa Yotsuko, Japanese immigrant / 3 years old.

S/ Crown Prince Fumihito / 3 years old?

S/ Kanazawa Yotsuko, Japanese immigrant / I turned 3 while on the ship.

S/ Crown Prince Fumihito / Did the voyage take about 60 days by ship?

S/ Kanazawa Yotsuko, Japanese immigrant / It took 70 days.

S/ Crown Prince Fumihito / 70 days...

The pair later attended a luncheon hosted by a local Japanese cultural association.

The crown prince greeted attendees, asking them how they were doing in the Guarani language, and delivered his remarks.

Fumihito, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, is the first in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne.