Japan’s Crown Prince Family has donated 300 handmade medical gowns to medical institutions on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The medical gowns were handmade by the royals and staff from the Imperial Household from plastic bags.
Specifically, the gowns were presented to a hospital and the Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation, the latter which is headed by Crown Prince Akishino – Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother. Handwritten messages were included with the gowns with encouraging words and gratitude for the work they are doing to battle the deadly virus.
A foundation official said about the gowns, “We feel encouraged.”
The Crown Prince and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko reportedly decided to make the gowns after an 11 May online meeting with medical institutions where they learned of the medical protective gear shortages. The couple’s two daughters, Princesses Mako and Kako, also attended the meeting.
On Friday, 15 May, 100 of the gowns were delivered to Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital; the remaining 200 went to the foundation a week later to be sent to “the required hospital.”
A message from Crown Prince Akishino was posted on the Saiseikai Imperial Gift Foundation’s website. He expressed his thanks to the staff at the foundation, as well as all medical personnel across Japan.
