Addresses by Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino(2018)

　It is a great pleasure for me to attend this opening ceremony today of the 20th General Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law, or IACL, with many participants from both Japan and abroad.

　I understand that the first General Congress of the IACL was held in 1932, and that the IACL has held a General Congress every 4 years since 1950.
　I am delighted that this 20th General Congress is being held here in Fukuoka, a city with a long history of international exchanges.

　This year marks 150 years since Japan established a new government in 1868, which was the first step towards a modern nation.
　One of the most important pillars of the modernization of our nation was the introduction of a legal system comparable with that of Western countries.
　Within around 30 years from embarking on its program of modernization, Japan had established codes in all major fields of law.
　The Constitution promulgated in the Meiji era was one of the earliest modern Constitutions outside the Occidental world.
　It was drafted after an extensive examination of overseas constitutional systems at the command of Emperor Meiji.
　Also, the Japanese Civil Code was completed after a comprehensive investigation of the legal systems of 22 jurisdictions.
　These codifications can be regarded as real achievements of comparative law.

　I have learned that this Congress, in more than 40 sessions, will hold discussions and exchange views on many legal issues, including those arising from new technology and innovation, such as big data, artificial intelligence, and autonomous driving.
　I believe that it is of great significance to collect wisdom from experts worldwide to provide solutions for various contemporary issues by comparing legal systems in different jurisdictions.

　In concluding my address, I sincerely hope that this Congress will be fruitful to you all, and that the IACL will fully perform its role in presenting a path for solving key challenges for the development of various societies of the world.