World · East Asia & Pacific · 8 hrs ago
Princess Aiko watches rubber-ball baseball in Aomori
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, visited Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan on Monday.
She was there to observe the National Sports Festival.
She watched a quarterfinal in the adult men’s rubber-ball baseball competition, a sport that began in Japan more than a century ago.
Local elementary school children threw a ceremonial first pitch before the game, and Aiko applauded.
It was her first time watching the sport, and she asked how the ball was used and whether players could hit home runs.
Later, she examined artifacts from archaeological sites at a museum in the prefecture.
The visit included both a national sporting event and a look at Aomori’s archaeological history.
Princess Aiko visited Aomori Prefecture in northeastern Japan on Monday to observe the National Sports Festival.
She watched a quarterfinal in the adult men's rubber-ball baseball competition.
Local elementary school children took part in a ceremonial first pitch, and Aiko applauded.
An official said it was Aiko's first time watching rubber-ball baseball.
Later, she examined archaeological artifacts at a museum in the prefecture.
- Who
- Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
- What
- She visited Aomori to observe the National Sports Festival and watch a rubber-ball baseball game.
- When
- Monday; the article was published on 2026-10-12.
- Where
- Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.
- Why
- To observe the National Sports Festival.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Aiko visited Aomori Prefecture to observe the National Sports Festival.
Elementary school children took part in a ceremonial first pitch before a quarterfinal in the adult men's rubber-ball baseball competition.
Aiko examined artifacts excavated from archaeological sites in the prefecture at a museum.
- Visitor
- Princess Aiko
- Location
- Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan
- Event
- National Sports Festival
- Game
- Adult men's rubber-ball baseball quarterfinal
- First pitch
- Local elementary school children
What people are saying
What kind of ball is used?
Are there home runs?
Sources
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