The graduate

Perhaps the last in a long line before they die out. A bit sad but life goes on.

Our lovely little Prince! Long live the Prince and may he be our future Emperor.

Is he 6 already??! My God, time flies!

These guys are apparently the coolest people you'd ever meet.

I wonder how the Japanese treat their royalty?

It's nice that the dad showed up for graduation - a lot of them don't / can't take the time off work.

I think Hisahito's dad's work schedule has a bit more flexibility in it than most kids' dads...

I wonder how the Japanese treat their royalty?

Well on JT they will jump on you if you criticizer them at all. So with a hysterical fervor maybe?

Such a cute lil guy. The family look like nice people.

On a side note .... "Graduation?" Seriously?! It can hardly be referred to as that.

For moving from Kindergarten to Primary school?! Am I the only one who finds this both an absurd use of the English language and fairly crazy concept generally?

In my day, you graduated from University. Thats all.

While having a small celebration for a child starting primary school is great and all, I cant help but feel that this nation of overwhelmingly only children with parents who attend every tiny event and over-celebrate every single milestone, are going to grow up spoilt brats.

The family look like nice people

Do you think they would leave their palace looking any other way.?

they look frail.

I might be from the underground class society, but why celebrating school entering? A big cuddle - as every morning - and done!

Making big things of it just creates useless stress to the children.

But when back home in the afternoon, they got a nice ice cream :-)

looks like a nice kid. hope he isn't TOO bullied at elementary school for being what he is. different.

They look great !!!! And Prince Akishino looks like Ryuichi Sakamoto .

A great milestone for the little Prince! May he achieve many more!

For moving from Kindergarten to Primary school?! Am I the only one who finds this both an absurd use of the English language and fairly crazy concept generally?

It's not that odd. My nieces attended "graduation" from PRE-SCHOOL - complete with caps and gowns. I admit I was thinking "Wut?" when I heard about it, but I guess that's the deal now days. The elementary schools I work at do not have a Kindergarten "graduation", but then again they aren't private schools, either.

While having a small celebration for a child starting primary school is great and all, I cant help but feel that this nation of overwhelmingly only children with parents who attend every tiny event and over-celebrate every single milestone, are going to grow up spoilt brats.

It's only "over-celebrating" to people who don't know nor care to learn about or understand the culture!

Ochanomizu University

Tea Water University? Watered Down Tea University? I know it's real but I just get a kick out of the name.