Prince Akishino praised emigrants from Japan and their descendents for their decades of dedication to local communities during opening remarks at a symposium held in a Honolulu hotel on Wednesday.
"I am encouraged to see (them) taking active roles in various fields and gaining trust from local communities," the prince said on the third day of a nearly weeklong visit to Hawaii with his wife, Princess Kiko. The couple also learned more about the culture and history of Japanese immigrants in Hawaii.
On Tuesday, the prince and his wife, who are on their first official trip to the United States, watched local children play wadaiko (Japanese drums) and practice kendo at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. The facility promotes awareness and understanding of the history and culture of Japanese-Americans. The center also includes a section devoted to those who were placed in internment camps during World War II.