Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi

In addition to their official duties, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi serve as President or Honorary President to a wide variety of organizations.

In 2009, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi attended the 64th National Convention on Wild Bird Protection in May, the 22nd National Health and Welfare Festival for Senior Citizens (in Hokkaido) and 2009 Nature Park Convention (in Kyoto) in September, the 64th National Athletic Meet (in Niigata) and Japan Junior Chamber International 58th National Convention (in Okinawa) in October, the National Boys and Girls Invention Club Creativity Exhibition (in Wakayama) in November, and in January 2010, the 60th Central Japan Ski Competition (in Toyama). On each of these visits Their Imperial Highnesses took the opportunity to observe the situations in each of the regions. Moreover, Their Imperial Highnesses also devoted themselves to the fostering of international goodwill, through official visits in June 2009 to the Republic of Peru and the Plurinational State of Bolivia (to attend events to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Japanese emigration in both countries) and a trip to the Federal Republic of Germany (to attend events related to the Praemium Imperiale) in September.

After graduating from the Faculty of Science of the Gakushuin University, His Imperial Highness went on to study cellular division at the Faculty of Science at Tokyo University. He is currently continuing his research into tumors as a guest researcher at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and the results of his outstanding research have been highly evaluated around the world. The results of His Imperial Highness' research have been reported in the specialist magazines of the Japanese Cancer Association, as well as of the Japan-America Workshop and the American Association for Cancer Research.

In 1997 His Imperial Highness received an honorary doctorate from George Washington University of the United States, and in April 2001 received an honorary doctorate from the University of Minnesota. In March 1999, in view of his outstanding international contribution to cancer research, His Imperial Highness was recommended as an honorary member of the German Association for Cancer Research and became the first foreigner to be appointed to such a position in the Association.

In addition, in January 2001, His Imperial Highness was appointed the Honorary President of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research.

Her Imperial Highness attends events of the Japanese Red Cross Society Regional Meetings in her capacity as Honorary Vice-President and events of the Japan Ikebana Arts Association in her capacity as Honorary President. In addition, Her Imperial Highness is involved in charitable events such as those of the Nippon-Latin American Ladies' Association and the Japan Animal Welfare Society. Her Imperial Highness is deeply interested in animal welfare in particular, which is a relatively unspectacular area that can sometimes be easily neglected. Her Imperial Highness has translated and published five foreign children's books and picture books about animals, including "Dot the Fire Dog," which was published in April 2005. The proceeds from these books are being donated to the cause of animal welfare.

• Personal Histories of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi
• Pictures of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi