Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko heard lectures from top researchers Wednesday during an annual event at the Imperial Palace.
At the traditional New Year's "kosho hajime no gi" (first lecture ceremony), 15-minute lectures were given by Takeshi Sasaki, former president of the University of Tokyo and a political scientist; Narifumi Tachimoto, cultural anthropologist; and Masatoshi Takeichi, a developmental biologist. Both Tachimoto and Takeichi are professors emeritus at Kyoto University.
Sasaki lectured about the spirit of politics, while Tachimoto talked about the concept of a maritime civilization exchange zone in Asia. Takeichi lectured on animal histology and its structure.
Crown Prince Naruhito, his younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his wife, Princess Kiko, as well as Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Yoshiaki Takaki also attended the event.