The Japanese Imperial Family attended the charity screening of “Dr Koto Clinic,” a movie based on a real story of medical care in remote regions.
On Wednesday, 28 December, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, arrived at the movie theatre in Minato and were welcomed by the two lead actors of the movie, Hidetaka Yoshioka and Ko Shibasaki, as well as Dr Kenjiro Setogami, whose story inspired the film.
The royals then took their seat in the theatre. Princess Aiko was seen starting a conversation with the lead actor. The movie lasted approximately two hours, and, according to reviews, it was “intense but hopeful.”
News website FNN reports that, after the end of the movie, there were some moments of silence while the entire audience contemplated the images they had just seen. It was the Emperor and Empress who broke the silence by starting the applause.
After the projection, the royals held a meeting behind closed doors with the lead actors, Dr Setogami and director Isao Nakae. The latter, remembering the discussion afterwards, said that he was impressed at Princess Aiko’s comments, that implied knowledge of his previous works, as well as those of the actors.
Dr Setogami, on his part, thanked the Emperor for his “profound interest” in the challenges and issues of healthcare in remote areas, something that His Imperial Majesty has explored for many years.
The movie is centred around the story of Dr Koto, who is called on a remote island to a remote community because its members are finding it increasingly difficult to get access to healthcare, an issue that is especially difficult to tackle for Japan, seen as the nation is made up entirely of 6852 separate islands.
This is likely to be the last engagement on the Imperial Family’s agenda before the end of this year. They will undoubtedly restart their engagements soon, with many people waiting for February, when, after three years of health safety restrictions, the public will finally be allowed back into the Imperial Palace’s grounds to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.
