An Audience - Crown Prince and Princess of Japan, Now the Emperor and Empress

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito, left, delivers a speech, accompanied by Empress Masako, right, to well-wishers from the balcony during his first public appearance with his imperial families at Imperial Palace Saturday, May 4, 2019, in Tokyo.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko

The Audience with His Imperial Highness and Her Imperial Highness:

The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan

In a previous life, I was a Maureen and Mike Mansfield Fellow from the US Government to the Japanese Government. In those days the selection process was rigorous, it consisted of a review of your academic and work background, your understanding of Asian cultures, interviews by Japanese experts (business, Fulbright, etc.) that evaluated your study and work proposals. In the fall of 2007, my name appeared in the Washington Post. The announcement changed the next two years of my life: Fiscal Years 2008-2009. I attended Japanese language school and US State Department's Foreign Service Institute to study all things Japanese and the neighboring countries. I went off to Japan, to continue my studies in the city of Kanazawa, and then was sent to Tokyo to work at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Building Services Department. I returned to Washington in late September of 2009.

The observation below, tells the tale of how myself and my Mansfield Fellow colleagues, had an audience with the Denka and Hidenka, His Imperial Highness and Her Imperial Highness.

A Japanese Observation:

The National Personnel Agency (NPA) arranged for the Mansfield Fellows to have an audience with the Denka and Hidenka. The meeting took place on June 26th, 2009 on their green acres hidden within the Tokyo high-rises. We were escorted to their private retreat by the senior staff officials of the International Division of the NPA. We pulled up to a simple one story – very 1970’s ranch style building with a flat roof, it was a salmon-beige stucco and the entrance had a large overhang. The double doors were opened when we arrived and interior foyer had a white marble floor. One step up was light soft pink carpet that was almost beige, and the walls were beige with white trim and doors. We were escorted into a large comfortable room with just enough chairs for each person. In some respects it was a little like a hotel conference room, it was pleasant but plain. Except for large Kutani flower vase with a large arrangement and flowers on the two round black lacquer coffee tables there was no decoration. Like a hotel conference room, there were tracks in the ceiling leading you to believe that the room could quickly be reconfigured to be larger if required. The room had two large plate-glass doors that overlooked a green space, but it was not a garden, it was just lawn and trees in the near distance.

The black lacquer coffee tables were of quality, the guest seating was upholstered in a burgundy and pink floral jacquard weave fabric. The three small tables located in the corners of the room were simple no-nothing tables used for function, to hold a lamp, flower vase, etc. They looked like they were 1950s government-issued telephone tables.

While we were waiting for the Denka and Hidenka, the staff members of the Royal Household went over the rules. There would be photographs taken by the official photographer and we were not to discuss politics or personal family matters. Additionally, they went through a brief dry-rehearsal of what was going to happen and we were to take the lead from the Crown Prince and Princess. In other words, if they offer their hand, we should shake it. Shortly after our dress rehearsal, we were told that they would be arriving shortly and we should get into line. We did, however, they appeared to be delayed and the Royal Household coordinator looked increasing concerned as he nervously continued to glance at his watch.

Finally, the door gently opened – softly and quietly, and in walked the Denka and Hidenka. Their presence filled the room; he walked in first with his wife right behind. He walked up to the NPA senior official. The official talked about the honor of being there and then the Prince and Princess went down the reception line, stopping to hear the self introduction of each Mansfield Fellow. The Prince offered his hand to each Fellow and it seemed that he held hands with me for an eternity but it must have been just a few seconds, as when I went to take my hand away, he appeared startled. With the conclusion of my self-introduction we move to the seating area around the two large coffee tables. I was seated next to the Princess. She wore a heavy silk pant suit in golden beige with identical matched pumps – that were simple walking shoes. Her hair was pulled back with a kind-of tortoise-shell clip, the pulled back hair revealed her almost pyramid natural pearl earrings with gold trim. She wore two rings, one large sea pearl that set up on top of the ring and the other a simple – small diamond band. Her necklace was combination of gold and large pearls, with a contemporary flare.

The Prince sported a light weight summer shark-skin grey silk suit, with identically matched socks. His shirt was a very thin blue and white strip, and his tie was perfectly matched to his suit, a check pattern that was a variation on the color of his suit. The only strange element about his attire was his shoes. His shoes were basic black, but they looked like they were pilgrim shoes and the only thing they lacked were big buckles. Perhaps they looked odd because they appeared to be elevated shoes, designed to make him appear taller, which made sense, as he appeared about my height, approximately, 5’- 4”. As the Prince and Princess sat in the room, there was not a wrinkle in their clothing.

I am sitting next to Her Royal Highness
Photo by The Imperial Household

The Prince and Princess were glamorous but they were not Disneyland’s version of a prince and princess. Whereas, they were both remarkably quaffed with beautiful skin, the Prince had sort-of a hooked nose and the princess was attractive, but not beautiful. As we were freshly seated, the conversation started, the Prince and Princess listened intently to every word, and the Prince sat on the edge of his chair acting extremely interested. These two individuals were fully professional, either they were really interested or they were faking sincerity so good that I could not tell the difference. No matter what, they were old hands at this sort of stuff, and they pulled it off with grace and style. During our visit we were served tea and a Japanese sweet. The Prince and I ate ours, the Princess cut hers letting everyone know that it was okay to go ahead and eat, but she did not devour one bite.

A pronounce tap came on the door; it must have been the signal for the Prince to wrap up this portion of his day. Within 5 minutes we finished up the conversation and somehow we all got immediately back in line for the Prince and Princess to wish each of us good-bye. Earlier during the conversation I mentioned that I would go to Shikoku to visit the redevelopment area of Takamatsu and I would visit the Takamatsu Sunport National Government building, a “Green” designed building noted for its energy efficiency. When he arrived in front of me, he said in perfect English that he also had an interest in “Green” architecture. Now, I was the one who startled. I stammered that Japan had a lot to share with the rest of the world regarding energy efficiency and then he and the Princess said goodbye. I was the last Mansfield Fellow to walk out of the room. The Mansfield Fellows returned to the 3 car parade that brought us and the Royal Household staff took us on a small tour of the gardens.